Artisan Partners Asset Management (APAM) 10-K 25 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 23, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,517,302
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 1,817,954,619
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,501,778
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,327,222
Class C Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,649,101

Consolidated Statements of Fina

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 166,193	$ 182,284
Accounts receivable	60,058	69,361
Investment securities	10,290	6,712
Prepaid expenses	7,474	5,892
Property and equipment, net	17,995	16,594
Restricted cash	889	925
Deferred tax assets	678,537	562,396
Other	5,096	5,288
Total assets	946,532	849,452
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other	18,052	21,934
Accrued incentive compensation	13,748	12,973
Deferred lease obligations	3,478	3,608
Borrowings	200,000	200,000
Class B redemptions payable	5,602	14,284
Amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	589,101	489,154
Total liabilities	$ 829,981	$ 741,953
Commitments and Contingencies
Additional paid-in capital	$ 116,448	$ 93,524
Retained earnings	13,238	16,417
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(375)	206
Total stockholders’ equity	130,045	110,876
Noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings	(13,494)	(3,377)
Total equity	116,551	107,499
Total liabilities and equity	946,532	849,452
Class A Common Stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Common stock	394	342
Class B Common Stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Common stock	183	215
Class C Common Stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Common stock	$ 157	$ 172

Consolidated Statements of Fin3

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, shares outstanding	73,408,928	72,927,543	71,484,007
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,432,605	34,238,131	19,807,436
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,327,222	21,463,033	25,271,889
Class C Common Stock
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,649,101	17,226,379	25,206,554

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Management fees	$ 803,701	$ 827,651	$ 683,322
Performance fees	1,768	1,050	2,519
Total revenues	805,469	828,701	685,841
Compensation and benefits
Salaries, incentive compensation and benefits	372,167	350,302	309,163
Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards	42,071	64,664	404,160
Pre-offering related compensation - other	0	0	143,035
Total compensation and benefits	414,238	414,966	856,358
Distribution and marketing	43,626	49,132	38,398
Occupancy	12,504	11,255	10,476
Communication and technology	25,487	21,002	14,426
General and administrative	27,229	25,443	27,387
Total operating expenses	523,084	521,798	947,045
Total operating income (loss)	282,385	306,903	(261,204)
Non-operating income (loss)
Interest expense	(11,706)	(11,572)	(11,869)
Net gains (losses) of Launch Equity	0	(3,964)	10,623
Net gain on the valuation of contingent value rights	0	0	49,570
Net investment income	424	681	5,138
Net Loss On The Tax Receivable Agreements	(12,247)	(4,187)	0
Other non-operating income (loss)	21	(282)	0
Total non-operating income (loss)	(23,508)	(19,324)	53,462
Income (loss) before income taxes	258,877	287,579	(207,742)
Provision for income taxes	46,771	48,829	26,390
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests	212,106	238,750	(234,132)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings	130,305	173,085	(269,562)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity	0	(3,964)	10,623
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.	$ 81,801	$ 69,629	$ 24,807
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 1.86	$ (0.37)	$ (2.04)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	35,448,550	27,514,394	13,780,378
Dividends declared per class A common share	$ 3.35	$ 3.83	$ 0.86
Quarterly cash dividend
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Dividends declared per class A common share	$ 2.40	$ 2.20	$ 0.86

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests	$ 212,106	$ 238,750	$ (234,132)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on investment securities, net of tax of ($146), ($16) and $171, respectively	(301)	(241)	3,655
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income	424	295	4,119
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(725)	(536)	(464)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(586)	(510)	197
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,311)	(1,046)	(267)
Comprehensive income (loss)	210,795	237,704	(234,399)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings	129,574	172,211	(270,207)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity	0	(3,964)	10,623
Comprehensive income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.	$ 81,221	$ 69,457	$ 25,185

Consolidated Statements of Com6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax on unrealized gains on investment securities	$ (146)	$ (16)	$ 171

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common StockClass A Common Stock	Common StockClass B Common Stock	Common StockClass C Common Stock	Convertible Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interest Artisan Partners Holding	Noncontrolling Interest Artisan Partners HoldingNoncontrolling interest-Launch Equity	Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	Redeemable Preferred Units
Redeemable preferred units, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012												$ 357,194
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	$ (672,715)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (709,414)	$ 36,699
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income	1,065								1,065
Modifications of equity award and other pre-offering related compensation	572,471								572,471
Modification of redeemable preferred units	357,194								357,194			(357,194)
Initial establishment of contingent value rights liability	(55,440)								(55,440)
Capital redemption	(16)								(16)
Net income (loss)	(434,342)								(434,342)
Distributions	(100,514)								(100,514)
Balance at end of period at Mar. 12, 2013	(332,297)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(368,996)	36,699
Redeemable preferred units, end of period at Mar. 12, 2013												0
Redeemable preferred units, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012												357,194
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	(672,715)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(709,414)	36,699
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income	(267)
Initial establishment of contingent value rights liability	(55,440)
Net income (loss)	(234,132)
Employee net share settlement	0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	132,311	198	253	252	34,909	6,388	1,401	378	38,060	50,472
Redeemable preferred units, end of period at Dec. 31, 2013												0
Redeemable preferred units, beginning of period at Mar. 12, 2013												0
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 12, 2013	(332,297)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(368,996)	36,699
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
IPO Proceeds	353,414								353,414
Attribution of noncontrolling interest at IPO		127	263	284	74,748	(58,365)		662	(17,719)
Capital redemption	(76,319)								(76,319)
Capital contribution	3,150									3,150
Net income (loss)	200,210						24,807		164,780	10,623
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation	524							134	390
Other comprehensive income - available for investments, net of tax	(1,543)							(250)	(1,293)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax						(50,312)			50,167		$ (313)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax								168
Amortization of equity-based compensation	82,946					20,365			62,581
Deferred tax assets, net of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	36,799					36,799
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs	295,502	55				295,447
Issuance of restricted stock awards		16				(16)
Exchange of subsidiary equity	(290,885)			(41)	(39,839)	(237,531)	(8,785)	0	(4,689)	0
Purchase of equity and subsidiary equity			(10)	9		1
Distributions	(124,256)								(124,256)
Dividends	(14,621)					0	(14,621)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	132,311	198	253	252	34,909	6,388	1,401	378	38,060	50,472
Redeemable preferred units, end of period at Dec. 31, 2013												$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income	(1,046)
Initial establishment of contingent value rights liability	0
Capital redemption	(49,488)									(49,488)
Capital contribution	2,980									2,980
Net income (loss)	238,750						69,629		173,085	(3,964)
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation	(510)							(255)	(255)
Other comprehensive income - available for investments, net of tax	(418)							(175)	(243)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax	0					(10,481)			10,105		(118)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax								258
Amortization of equity-based compensation	88,256					36,175			52,081
Deferred tax assets, net of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	64,520					64,520
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs	552,289	111				552,178
Issuance of restricted stock awards		14				(14)
Employee net share settlement	(302)					(136)			(166)
Exchange of subsidiary equity		19		(33)	(13,257)	23,289			(10,018)
Purchase of equity and subsidiary equity	(554,129)		(38)	(47)	(21,652)	(533,204)			812
Distributions	(266,838)								(266,838)
Dividends	(99,804)					(45,191)	(54,613)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	107,499	342	215	172	0	93,524	16,417	206	(3,377)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income	(1,311)
Initial establishment of contingent value rights liability	0
Net income (loss)	212,106						81,801		130,305
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation	(586)							(303)	(283)
Other comprehensive income - available for investments, net of tax	(690)							(307)	(383)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax	0					(5,463)			5,399		$ (35)
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax								29
Amortization of equity-based compensation	79,520					42,144			37,376
Deferred tax assets, net of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	26,075					26,075
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs	176,012	38				175,974
Forfeitures	0		(4)	3		1
Issuance of restricted stock awards		6				(6)
Employee net share settlement	(669)					(358)			(311)
Exchange of subsidiary equity		8	(4)	(4)
Purchase of equity and subsidiary equity	(176,558)		(24)	(14)		(176,520)
Distributions	(182,175)								(182,175)
Dividends	(123,948)					(38,923)	(84,980)		(45)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 116,551	$ 394	$ 183	$ 157	$ 0	$ 116,448	$ 13,238	$ (375)	$ (13,494)	$ 0

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 212,106		$ 238,750		$ (234,132)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,519		3,250		3,225
Deferred income taxes	16,521		17,569		9,384
Reinvested dividends	0		(364)		(1,019)
Net gain on the valuation of contingent value rights	0		0		(49,570)
Capital gains on the sale of investments, net	(424)		(295)		(4,119)
Net Loss On The Tax Receivable Agreements	12,247		4,187		0
(Gains) losses of Launch Equity, net	0		3,964		(10,623)
Proceeds from sale of investments by Launch Equity	0		147,862		146,967
Purchase of investments by Launch Equity	0		(120,272)		(140,664)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	40		362		16
Amortization of debt issuance costs	448		448		448
Share-based compensation	79,520		88,256		655,417
Excess tax benefit on share-based awards	(1,300)		(1,114)		0
Change in assets and liabilities resulting in an increase (decrease) in cash:
Net change in operating assets and liabilities of Launch Equity	0		18,919		(9,453)
Accounts receivable	9,303		(5,599)		(17,739)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,614)		(1,607)		(1,966)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(316)		12,638		(2,405)
Class B liability awards	(8,682)		(8,742)		(231,480)
Deferred lease obligations	(129)		(136)		(121)
Net cash provided by operating activities	321,239		398,076		112,166
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property and equipment	(3,794)		(4,797)		(2,359)
Leasehold improvements	(3,541)		(4,822)		(832)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0		4		0
Proceeds from sale of investment securities	2,724		11,610		16,932
Purchase of investment securities	(6,750)		(10,031)		(5,000)
Change in restricted cash	36		260		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(11,325)		(7,776)		8,741
Cash flows from financing activities
Partnership distributions	182,175		266,838		224,786
Dividends paid	(123,948)		(99,804)		(14,621)
Change in other liabilities	(46)		(66)		(63)
Repayment under revolving credit facility	0		0		(90,000)
Payments Of Amounts Owed Under Tax Receivable Agreement	(20,040)	[1]	(4,645)	[1]	0
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	176,558		554,129		653,335
Payment of costs directly associated with the issuance of Class A common stock	(427)		(2,806)		(4,168)
Purchase of preferred stock and subsidiary equity	(176,558)		(554,129)		(296,755)
Purchase of Class A common units	0		0		(76,319)
Taxes paid related to employee net share settlement	(669)		(302)		0
Capital invested into Launch Equity	0		2,980		3,150
Capital distributed by Launch Equity	0		(49,488)		0
Excess tax benefit on share-based awards	1,300		1,114		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(326,005)		(419,855)		(50,227)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16,091)		(29,555)		70,680
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	182,284		211,839		141,159
End of period	166,193		182,284		211,839
Noncash activity:
Non Cash Transaction Initial Establishment of Deferred Tax Assets	126,753		386,667
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	107,740		328,949
Establishment of contingent value rights	0		0		55,440
Cash Paid For [Abstract]
Income tax paid	29,316		30,685		16,449
Preferred Stock
Noncash activity:
Issuance of preferred stock	0		0		74,748
Borrowings [Member]
Cash Paid For [Abstract]
Interest paid	11,019		11,108		11,423
IPO [Member]
Noncash activity:
Non Cash Transaction Initial Establishment of Deferred Tax Assets	0		0		73,574
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	0		0		55,358
Follow On Offering [Member]
Noncash activity:
Non Cash Transaction Initial Establishment of Deferred Tax Assets	132,516		392,058		123,888
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	$ 107,740		$ 328,667		$ 105,305
[1]	Interest of $179 thousand and $36 thousand was paid on these TRA payments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Nature of Business and Organiza

Nature of Business and Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and nature of business	Nature of Business Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. (“APAM” or “Artisan”) is an investment management firm focused on providing high-value added, active investment strategies to sophisticated clients globally. Artisan has seven autonomous investment teams that manage a broad range of U.S., non-U.S. and global investment strategies. During the second quarter of 2015, Artisan launched its newest investment strategy, the Artisan Partners Developing World strategy, which is managed by the firm’s Developing World team. Strategies are offered through multiple investment vehicles to accommodate a broad range of client mandates. Artisan offers its investment management services primarily to institutions and through intermediaries that operate with institutional-like decision-making processes and have long-term investment horizons. Organization On March 12, 2013, APAM completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”). APAM was formed for the purpose of becoming the general partner of Artisan Partners Holdings LP (“Artisan Partners Holdings” or “Holdings”) in connection with the IPO. Holdings is a holding company for the investment management business conducted under the name “Artisan Partners”. The partnership interests in Holdings consist of GP units, Class A, B, D and E common units. The reorganization (“IPO Reorganization”) established the necessary corporate structure to complete the IPO while at the same time preserving the ability of the firm to conduct operations through Holdings and its subsidiaries. See Note 2, “Reorganization and IPO” for more information on the reorganization and IPO. As the sole general partner, APAM controls the business and affairs of Holdings. As a result, APAM consolidates Holdings’ financial statements and records a noncontrolling interest for the equity interests in Holdings held by the limited partners of Holdings. At December 31, 2015 , APAM held approximately 54% of the equity ownership interest in Holdings. APAM has been allocated a part of Holdings’ net income since March 12, 2013, when it became Holdings’ general partner. Holdings, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, Artisan Investments GP LLC (“AIGP”), controls a 100% interest in Artisan Partners Limited Partnership (“APLP”), a multi-product investment management firm that is the principal operating subsidiary of Artisan Partners Holdings. APLP is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. APLP provides investment advisory services to separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles, including Artisan Partners Funds, Inc. (“Artisan Funds” or the “Funds”) and Artisan Partners Global Funds PLC (“Artisan Global Funds”). Artisan Funds are a series of open-end, diversified mutual funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Artisan Global Funds is a family of Ireland-domiciled UCITS. Artisan Partners Distributors LLC (“APDLLC”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings. APDLLC is a limited purpose broker/dealer registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that serves as distributor of the shares of Artisan Funds and Artisan Global Funds and does not execute trades on behalf of clients. APDLLC is subject to the net capital requirements pursuant to Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. At December 31, 2015 , APDLLC had a ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of 27% and net capital was $154 thousand, which was $129 thousand in excess of its required net capital of $25 thousand. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of APAM and all of its majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. APAM and its subsidiaries are hereafter referred to collectively as “Artisan” or the “Company”.

Reorganization and IPO

Reorganization and IPO	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Reorganization and Initial Public Offering Disclosures [Abstract]
Reorganization and initial public offering	Reorganization In connection with the IPO, APAM and Holdings entered into a series of transactions in order to reorganize their capital structures and complete the IPO. The reorganization transactions included, among others, the following: • Appointment of APAM as the sole general partner of Holdings. • Modification of APAM’s capital structure into three classes of common stock and a series of convertible preferred stock. Shares of Class B common stock, Class C common stock and convertible preferred stock were issued to pre-IPO partners of Holdings. A description of these shares is included in Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity” . • Merger (the “H&F Corp Merger”) into APAM of a corporation (“H&F Corp”) that at the time of the merger was a holder of preferred units and contingent value rights (“Partnership CVRs”) issued by Holdings and Class C common stock of APAM. As consideration for the merger, the shareholder of H&F Corp received shares of APAM’s convertible preferred stock, contingent value rights (“APAM CVRs”) issued by APAM, and the right to receive an amount of cash equal to H&F Corp’s share of the post-IPO distribution of Holdings pre-IPO retained profits. • Entry by APAM into two tax receivable agreements (“TRAs”), one with the pre-merger shareholder of H&F Corp (“Pre-H&F Merger Shareholder”) and the other with each limited partner of Holdings. Pursuant to the first TRA, APAM will pay to the counterparty a portion of certain tax benefits realized by APAM as a result of the H&F Corp Merger. Pursuant to the second TRA, APAM will pay to the counterparties a portion of certain tax benefits realized by APAM as a result of the purchase or exchange of Holdings limited partner units. The TRAs are further described in Note 3, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Tax Receivable Agreements” . Because APAM and Holdings were under common control at the time of the reorganization, APAM’s acquisition of control of Holdings was accounted for as a transaction among entities under common control. The consolidated financial statements of APAM reflect the following: • Statements of Financial Condition - The assets, liabilities and equity of Holdings and of APAM have been carried forward at their historical carrying values. The historical partners’ deficit of Holdings is reflected as a noncontrolling interest. • Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows - The historical consolidated statements of Holdings have been consolidated with the statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows of APAM. Modification of Artisan Partners Holdings’ Units As part of the IPO Reorganization, the limited partner units of Holdings were modified. In addition to modification of the voting and other rights with respect to each class of units, the following modifications were made to the Class B common units and the preferred units: • The Class B common units of Holdings, which are held by employee-partners, were modified to eliminate a cash redemption feature. Prior to the reorganization, the terms of the Class B unit award agreements required Holdings to redeem the units from a holder whose employment by Artisan had been terminated. As a result of the redemption feature, Artisan was required to account for the Class B units as liability awards. At the time of the IPO, the amount of the liability was increased to $552.0 million to reflect the value implied by the IPO valuation. Thereafter, as a result of the elimination of the redemption feature, Artisan reclassified the entire liability to equity. The vesting of Class B awards that were unvested at the time of the reorganization is reflected as “Pre-offering related compensation — share-based awards” over the remaining vesting period (see Note 11, “Compensation and Benefits” ). • The preferred units of Holdings were modified to eliminate the associated put right. In exchange for the elimination of the put right, Holdings issued Partnership CVRs to the holders of the preferred units. The CVRs were classified as liabilities and the preferred units were reclassified to permanent equity after the modification. As discussed above, in conjunction with the H&F Corp Merger, APAM received modified preferred units and partnership CVRs and issued to the shareholder of H&F Corp convertible preferred stock and APAM CVRs. For each outstanding APAM CVR, APAM held one Partnership CVR. The convertible preferred stock and APAM CVRs issued were recorded at the carryover basis of the preferred units and Partnership CVRs originally held by H&F Corp. On November 6, 2013, all of the CVRs were terminated without any payment by APAM or Holdings. IPO and Use of Proceeds The net proceeds from the IPO were $353.4 million . In connection with the IPO, Artisan used cash on hand to make cash incentive payments aggregating $56.8 million to certain of its portfolio managers. Artisan used a portion of the IPO net proceeds, combined with remaining cash on hand, for the following: • to pay distributions of retained profits in the aggregate amount of $105.3 million to the pre-IPO partners of Holdings; • to repay $90.0 million outstanding under Holdings’ revolving credit agreement (see Note 6, “Borrowings”); and • to purchase for $76.3 million an aggregate of 2,720,823 Class A common units from certain Class A limited partners of Holdings. Artisan used the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes. Follow-On Offerings Subsequent to the IPO, APAM has completed registered primary offerings of shares of Class A common stock (the “Follow-On Offerings”). The entire net proceeds of the primary offerings were used to purchase units of Artisan Partners Holdings, APAM’s direct subsidiary, and shares of APAM convertible preferred stock. The details of the offerings are as follows: Offering Date Proceeds Class A Common Stock Issued Class B Common Stock Canceled Class C Common Stock Canceled Convertible Preferred Stock Canceled Increase in Deferred Tax Assets Increase in Amounts Payable Under TRA (dollars in millions) November 6, 2013 $ 296.8 5,520,000 — (4,152,665 ) (1,367,335 ) $ 123.9 $ 105.3 March 12, 2014 $ 554.1 9,284,337 (3,705,453 ) (4,835,767 ) (743,117 ) $ 287.4 $ 244.3 March 9, 2015 $ 176.6 3,831,550 (2,415,253 ) (1,416,297 ) — $ 105.1 $ 89.4 Total $ 1,027.5 18,635,887 (6,120,706 ) (10,404,729 ) (2,110,452 ) $ 516.4 $ 439.0 The offerings resulted in an increase in APAM’s equity ownership of Holdings, as well as an increase in deferred tax assets and amounts payable under tax receivable agreements. See Note 8, “Noncontrolling Interest - Holdings” for the financial statement impact of changes in ownership and see Note 12, “Income Taxes and Related Payments” for the income tax impact of the offerings. In conjunction with the 2013 Follow-On Offering, the CVRs were terminated and the associated $5.9 million liability was eliminated. The purchase of convertible preferred stock and preferred units resulted in a deemed dividend for purposes of calculating earnings per share. See Note 14, “Earnings (Loss) Per Share” . Holdings Unit Exchanges On June 16, 2014, affiliates of Hellman & Friedman LLC (the “H&F Funds”) elected to convert 455,011 shares of convertible preferred stock into, and exchange 1,381,887 preferred units of Holdings for, a total of 1,836,898 shares of APAM’s Class A common stock (the “H&F Conversion”). The H&F Funds subsequently sold all 1,836,898 shares of Class A common stock. After the H&F Conversion, there were no longer any outstanding APAM convertible preferred shares or Holdings preferred units. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , certain limited partners of Artisan Partners Holdings exchanged common units (along with a corresponding number of shares of Class B or C common stock of APAM) for shares of Class A common stock (the “Holdings Common Unit Exchanges”). The following common and preferred units were exchanged for APAM Class A common stock during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Date of Exchange Total Units Exchanged Class A Common Units Class B Common Units Preferred Units Class E Common Units June 2, 2014 171,125 171,125 — — June 16, 2014 1,381,887 — — 1,381,887 — August 25, 2014 1,578,228 1,567,968 10,260 — — December 1, 2014 116,571 116,571 — — — Total Units Exchanged 2014 3,247,811 1,855,664 10,260 1,381,887 — March 9, 2015 527,012 169,474 332,538 — 25,000 May 21, 2015 132,961 127,729 5,232 — — August 20, 2015 145,265 127,730 17,535 — — November 18, 2015 21,571 21,571 — — — Total Units Exchanged 2015 826,809 446,504 355,305 — 25,000 The corresponding shares of APAM Class B and Class C common stock were immediately canceled upon exchange. The Holdings Common Unit Exchanges and H&F Conversion increased APAM’s equity ownership interest in Holdings, and resulted in a combined increase to deferred tax assets of approximately $21.6 million and $99.3 million , for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and increases in amounts payable under the tax receivable agreements of approximately $18.4 million and $84.4 million , for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Basis of presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and related rules and regulations of the SEC. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates or assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates or assumptions. Principles of consolidation Artisan’s policy is to consolidate all subsidiaries or other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which Artisan is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is deemed to be the entity that has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the subsidiary so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of APAM, all subsidiaries or other entities in which APAM has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest and VIEs of which Artisan is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Artisan’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Artisan Partners Alternative Investments GP LLC, was the general partner of Artisan Partners Launch Equity LP (“Launch Equity”), a private investment partnership that was considered a VIE. Launch Equity was considered an investment company and therefore accounted for under Accounting Standard Codification Topic (“ASC”) 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies”. Artisan had retained the specialized industry accounting principles of this investment company in its consolidated financial statements. Launch Equity was liquidated and dissolved in December 2014. See Note 9, “Variable and Voting Interest Entities” for additional details. The Company makes initial seed investments in sponsored investment portfolios at the portfolio’s formation. If the seed investment results in a controlling financial interest, APAM consolidates the fund, and the underlying individual securities are accounted for as trading securities. Seed investments in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest are classified as available-for-sale investments, as described below under “-Investment Securities”. As of December 31, 2015, APAM does not have a controlling financial interest in any of the funds in which it has made a seed investment. Tax Receivable Agreements (“TRAs”) In connection with the IPO, APAM entered into two tax receivable agreements. The first TRA, generally provides for the payment by APAM to the Pre-H&F Merger Shareholder of 85% of the applicable cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income taxes that APAM actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) as a result of (i) the tax attributes of the preferred units APAM acquired in the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the private equity fund into APAM in March 2013, (ii) net operating losses available as a result of the merger and (iii) tax benefits related to imputed interest. The second TRA generally provides for the payment by APAM to current or former limited partners of Holdings of 85% of the applicable cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income taxes that APAM actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) as a result of (i) certain tax attributes of their units sold to APAM or exchanged (for shares of Class A common stock, convertible preferred stock or other consideration) and that are created as a result of such sales or exchanges and payments under the TRAs and (ii) tax benefits related to imputed interest. Under both agreements, APAM generally will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of the applicable tax savings. For purposes of the TRAs, cash savings in tax are calculated by comparing APAM’s actual income tax liability to the amount it would have been required to pay had it not been able to utilize any of the tax benefits subject to the TRAs, unless certain assumptions apply. The TRAs will continue in effect until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless APAM exercises its right to terminate the agreements or payments under the agreements are accelerated in the event that APAM materially breaches any of its material obligations under the agreements. The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under these agreements, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of sales or exchanges by the holders of limited partnership units, the price of the Class A common stock at the time of such sales or exchanges, whether such sales or exchanges are taxable, the amount and timing of the taxable income APAM generates in the future and the tax rate then applicable and the portion of APAM’s payments under the TRAs constituting imputed interest. Payments under the TRAs, if any, will be made pro rata among all TRA counterparties entitled to payments on an annual basis to the extent APAM has sufficient taxable income to utilize the increased depreciation and amortization charges. Artisan expects to make payments under the TRAs, to the extent they are required, within 125 days after APAM’s federal income tax return is filed for each fiscal year. Interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate equal to one-year LIBOR plus 100 basis points from the due date (without extension) of such tax return. Operating segments Artisan operates in one segment, the investment management industry. Artisan provides investment management services to separate accounts and mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles. Management assesses the financial performance of these vehicles on a combined basis. Cash and cash equivalents Artisan defines cash and cash equivalents as money market funds and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature and liquidity of these financial instruments. For disclosure purposes, cash equivalents are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Cash and cash equivalents are subject to credit risk and were primarily maintained in demand deposit accounts with financial institutions or treasury money market funds. Foreign currency translation Assets and liabilities of foreign operations whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated at prevailing year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expenses of such foreign operations are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net effect of the translation adjustment for foreign operations is included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The cumulative effect of translation adjustments is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, based on current ownership levels. Accounts receivable Accounts receivable are carried at invoiced amounts and consist primarily of investment management fees that have been earned, but not yet received from clients. Due to the short-term nature of the receivables, the carrying values of these assets approximate fair value. The accounts receivable balance does not include any allowance for doubtful accounts as Artisan believes all accounts receivable balances are fully collectible. There has not been any bad debt expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Investment securities Investment securities consist of investments in mutual funds for which Artisan is the investment adviser and are classified as available-for-sale. Investments provide exposure to various risks, including price risk (the risk of a potential future decline in value of the investment) and foreign currency risk. Investments in registered mutual funds are carried at fair value at their respective net asset values as of the valuation date. Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Dividend income from these investments is recognized when earned and is included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Realized gains (losses) are computed on a specific identification basis and are recorded in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investment securities are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis when the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value. Property and equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from three to seven years. Depreciation for leasehold improvements is recognized over the applicable life of the asset class, typically the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Property and equipment is tested for impairment when there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When an asset is determined to not be recoverable, the impairment loss is measured based on the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value. Restricted cash Restricted cash represents cash that is restricted as collateral on a standby letter of credit related to a lease obligation. Revenue recognition Investment management fees are generally computed as a percentage of average daily assets under management and recognized as earned. Fees for providing investment advisory services are computed and billed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable investment management agreements, generally on a monthly or quarterly basis. The investment management agreements for a small number of accounts provide for performance-based fees. Performance-based fees, if earned, are recognized on the contractually determined measurement date. Performance-based fees generally are not subject to claw back as a result of performance declines subsequent to the most recent measurement date. Investment management fees are presented net of cash rebates and fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers. Unit-based compensation Prior to the IPO Reorganization, Class B limited partnership interests were granted to certain employees. The Class B limited partnership interests provided both an interest in future profits of Holdings as well as an interest in the overall value of Holdings. Class B limited partnership interests generally vested ratably over a five -year period from the date of grant. Holders of Class B limited partnership interests were entitled to fully participate in profits from and after the date of grant. The distribution of profits associated with these limited partnership interests was recorded as compensation expense. Compensation cost was recognized as expense over the requisite service period for vesting, typically five years. Grants of Class B interests were considered liability awards, with changes in fair value recorded as compensation expense. Fair value was calculated using a combination of an income approach and a market approach. During 2013, the Class B common units were modified, which eliminated the cash redemption feature and liability classification. See Note 11, “Compensation and Benefits” for details on the modification of these awards. Share-based compensation Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on grant-date fair value on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Forfeiture assumptions are evaluated on a quarterly basis and updated as necessary. The awards generally vest ratably over a five -year vesting period, beginning on the date of grant. Certain awards vest upon a combination of both (1) pro-rata annual time vesting over five years and (2) qualifying retirement (as defined in the award agreements). Distribution fees Artisan Funds has authorized certain financial services companies, broker-dealers, banks or other intermediaries, and in some cases, other organizations designated by an authorized intermediary to accept purchase, exchange, and redemption orders for shares of Artisan Funds on the funds’ behalf. Many intermediaries charge a fee for accounting and shareholder services provided to fund shareholders on the funds’ behalf. Those services typically include recordkeeping, transaction processing for shareholders’ accounts, and other services. The fee is either based on the number of accounts to which the intermediary provides such services or a percentage of the average daily value of fund shares held in such accounts. The funds pay a portion of such fees directly to the intermediaries, which are intended to compensate the intermediary for its provision of services of the type that would be provided by the funds’ transfer agent or other service providers if the shares were registered directly on the books of the funds’ transfer agent. Artisan pays the balance of those fees which includes compensation to the intermediary for its distribution and marketing of Artisan Funds shares. Artisan Global Funds also have distribution arrangements pursuant to which Artisan is required to pay a portion of its investment management fee for distribution and marketing of Artisan Global Funds shares. Distribution fees paid by Artisan are presented as an operating expense as Artisan is the principal in its role as the primary obligor related to distribution and marketing services. Distribution fees paid to intermediaries were as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total intermediary fees incurred related to Artisan Funds $ 120,402 $ 133,745 $ 112,360 Less: fees incurred by Artisan Funds 80,390 89,372 78,036 Fees incurred by Artisan 40,012 44,373 34,324 Global Funds distribution and other marketing expenses 3,614 4,759 4,074 Total distribution and marketing $ 43,626 $ 49,132 $ 38,398 Accrued fees to intermediaries were $4.6 million and $6.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Leases Rent under non-cancelable operating leases with scheduled rent increases or decreases is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term, beginning on the date of initial possession or the effective date of the lease agreement. Allowances and other lease incentives provided by Artisan’s landlords are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense. The difference between straight-line rent expense and rent paid and the unamortized deferred lease costs and build-out allowances are recorded as deferred lease obligations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Loss contingencies Artisan considers the assessment of loss contingencies as a significant accounting policy because of the significant uncertainty relating to the outcome of any potential legal actions and other claims and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of the potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on Artisan’s results of operations that could result from legal actions or other claims and assessments. Artisan recognizes estimated costs to defend as incurred. Potential loss contingencies are reviewed at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the impact and status of settlements, rulings, advice of counsel and other information pertinent to a particular matter. Significant differences could exist between the actual cost required to investigate, litigate and/or settle a claim or the ultimate outcome of a suit and management’s estimate. These differences could have a material impact on Artisan’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Recoveries of losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when receipt is deemed probable. No loss contingencies were recorded at December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . Currently, there are no legal or administrative proceedings that management believes may have a material effect on Artisan’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Income taxes Artisan accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. Artisan recognizes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Artisan accounts for uncertain income tax positions by recognizing the impact of a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when Artisan believes it is more likely than not that the tax position would not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation, net of related tax effects. The tax effects of components of other comprehensive income (loss) is calculated on the portion of comprehensive income (loss) attributable to APAM. Partnership distributions Artisan makes distributions to its partners (or former partners) for purposes of paying income taxes as required under the terms of Artisan Partners Holdings’ partnership agreement. Tax distributions are calculated utilizing the highest combined individual federal, state and local income tax rate among the various locations in which the partners (or former partners), as a result of owning their interests in the partnership, are subject to tax, assuming maximum applicability of the phase-out of itemized deductions contained in the Internal Revenue Code. Artisan also makes additional distributions under the terms of the partnership agreement. Distributions are recorded in the financial statements on the declaration date. Partnership distributions, excluding distributions to APAM, totaled $182.2 million , $266.8 million and $290.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively, and are reported either as pre-offering related compensation-other within the Consolidated Statements of Operations or partnership distributions within the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, depending on the timing of distributions. Earnings per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share is computed under the two-class method by dividing income available to Class A common stockholders by the weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding during the period. Unvested restricted share based awards are excluded from the number of Class A common shares outstanding for the basic earnings per share calculation because the shares have not yet been earned by employees. Income available to Class A common stockholders is computed by reducing net income attributable to APAM by dividends declared or paid to convertible preferred stockholders during the period and earnings (distributed and undistributed) allocated to participating securities, according to their respective rights to participate in those earnings. Class B and Class C common shares do not share in profits of APAM and therefore are not reflected in the calculations. Diluted earnings per share is computed by increasing the denominator by the amount of additional Class A common shares that would have been outstanding if all potential Class A common shares had been issued. The numerator is also increased for the net income allocated to the potential Class A common shares. Potential dilutive Class A common shares consist of (1) the Class A common shares issuable upon exchange of Holdings limited partnership units for APAM Class A common stock, (2) the Class A common shares issuable upon conversion of APAM convertible preferred stock and (3) unvested restricted share-based awards. Recent accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. In August 2015, the effective date of the ASU was deferred. The new guidance will now be effective on January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date of January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating its transition method and the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . The ASU modifies existing consolidation guidance for determining whether certain legal entities should be consolidated. The ASU eliminates the deferral under ASU 2010-10, Consolidation - Amendments for Certain Investment Funds, and, as a result, the Company must apply the new guidance to all entities, including investment companies. The presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership has been eliminated. In addition, fees paid to decision makers that meet certain conditions no longer cause the decision makers to consolidate VIEs, in certain instances. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016, and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Based on current ownership levels, the Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to change existing consolidation conclusions. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the note liability, rather than presented as an asset. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016, and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. At December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $0.7 million of debt issuance costs in prepaid expenses and other assets on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition that meet the criteria of this amendment. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement , which provides guidance on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. ASU 2016-01 will be effective on January 1, 2018 and will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet upon adoption. After adoption, the Company’s unrealized holding gain (loss) on available for sale investment securities will be recognized through net income, which will be a change from the current treatment of recognition in other comprehensive income.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment securities	The disclosures below include details of Artisan’s investments. Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value December 31, 2015 Mutual funds $ 10,069 $ 832 $ (611 ) $ 10,290 December 31, 2014 Mutual funds $ 5,618 $ 1,096 $ (2 ) $ 6,712 Artisan’s investments in mutual funds consist of investments in shares of Artisan Partners Funds, Inc. and Artisan Partners Global Funds plc and are considered to be available-for-sale securities. As a result, unrealized gains (losses) are recorded to other comprehensive income (loss). As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the total fair value of investments in an unrealized loss position was $4.4 million and $38 thousand , respectively. The unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are considered temporary, based on the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. No impairment losses were recorded on these available-for-sale securities. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , Artisan made seed investments of $6.8 million , including a $5.0 million investment in Artisan Developing World Fund. Also during the year ended December 31, 2015 , Artisan sold $2.7 million of its investments, resulting in realized gains of $0.4 million . During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 , Artisan sold seed investments resulting in realized gains of $0.3 million and $4.1 million , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	The table below presents information about Artisan’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and the valuation techniques Artisan utilized to determine such fair value. In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that Artisan would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. The following three-tier fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value: • Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical securities. • Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). • Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including Artisan’s own assumptions in determining fair value). The following provides the hierarchy of inputs used to derive fair value of Artisan’s assets and liabilities that are financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2015 Assets Cash equivalents $ 49,005 $ 49,005 $ — $ — Mutual funds 10,290 10,290 — — December 31, 2014 Assets Cash equivalents $ 44,004 $ 44,004 $ — $ — Mutual funds 6,712 6,712 — — Fair values determined based on Level 1 inputs utilize quoted market prices for identical assets. Level 1 assets generally consist of money market funds, marketable open-end mutual funds and Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”). There were no Level 2 or Level 3 assets or liabilities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Artisan’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of the valuation levels as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 securities during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 .

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings	Artisan’s borrowings consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Maturity Outstanding Balance Interest Rate Per Annum Revolving credit agreement August 2017 — NA Senior notes Series A August 2017 60,000 4.98 % Series B August 2019 50,000 5.32 % Series C August 2022 90,000 5.82 % Total borrowings $ 200,000 The fair value of borrowings was approximately $197.0 million as of December 31, 2015 . Fair value was determined based on future cash flows, discounted to present value using current market interest rates. The inputs are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as defined in Note 5, “Fair Value Measurements” . Senior notes - On August 16, 2012, Holdings issued $200 million in senior unsecured notes and entered into a $100 million five -year revolving credit agreement. The proceeds were used to repay the entire outstanding principal of an existing term loan. The fixed interest rate on each series of unsecured notes is subject to a one percentage point increase in the event Holdings receives a below-investment grade rating and any such increase will continue to apply until an investment grade rating is received. The unsecured notes and the revolving credit agreement contain certain restrictive financial covenants including a limitation on the leverage ratio of Holdings and a minimum interest coverage ratio. Revolving credit agreement - Any loans outstanding under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s election, (i) LIBOR adjusted by a statutory reserve percentage plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 3.00% , depending on Holdings’ leverage ratio (as defined in the revolving credit agreement) or (ii) an alternate base rate equal to the highest of (a) prime rate plus 0.50% , (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% , and (c) the daily one -month LIBOR adjusted by a statutory reserve percentage plus 1.00% , plus, in each case, an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 2.00% , depending on Holdings’ leverage ratio. Unused commitments under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate that ranges from 0.175% to 0.625% , depending on Holdings’ leverage ratio. In connection with the closing of the IPO, Artisan paid all of the then-outstanding principal amount of loans under the revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015 , there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreement and the interest rate on the unused commitment was 0.175% . Interest expense incurred on the unsecured notes and revolving credit agreement was $11.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2015 , the aggregate maturities of debt obligations, based on their contractual terms, are as follows: 2016 $ — 2017 60,000 2018 — 2019 50,000 2020 — Thereafter 90,000 $ 200,000

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments	Contingent Value Rights (“CVRs”) As part of the IPO Reorganization, Holdings issued Partnership CVRs and APAM issued APAM CVRs to the holders of Holdings’ preferred units and APAM’s convertible preferred stock, respectively. APAM held one Partnership CVR for each APAM CVR outstanding. On November 6, 2013, the CVRs were terminated with no amounts paid or payable by Artisan. The CVRs were considered derivative instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging , and accordingly were recorded as a liability at fair value on the balance sheet until they were terminated on November 6, 2013. Changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments have been recorded in earnings as a net gain (loss) on the valuation of contingent value rights in the period of change. As of November 6, 2013, the fair value of the CVRs was $5.9 million . For the year ended December 31, 2013, gains of $49.6 million were recorded in other non-operating gains (losses) to reflect a decrease in the estimated fair value of the CVRs. On November 6, 2013, the CVRs were terminated and the liability was eliminated.

Noncontrolling Interest - Holdi

Noncontrolling Interest - Holdings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings	Holdings is the predecessor of APAM for accounting purposes, and its consolidated financial statements are Artisan’s historical financial statements for periods prior to March 12, 2013, the date on which APAM became the general partner of Holdings. As of December 31, 2015 , APAM held approximately 54% of the equity ownership interests in Holdings. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations represents the portion of earnings or loss attributable to the equity ownership interests in Holdings held by the limited partners of Holdings. All income for the periods prior to March 12, 2013, is entirely attributable to noncontrolling interests. Subsequent to the IPO, APAM’s equity ownership interest in Holdings has increased as a result of the following transactions: Holdings GP Units Limited Partnership Units Total APAM Ownership % As of March 12, 2013 15,277,742 54,713,763 69,991,505 22 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 1,575,157 — 1,575,157 2 % 2013 Follow-On Offering 4,152,665 (4,152,665 ) — 6 % Employee Terminations (1) — (82,655 ) (82,655 ) — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 21,005,564 50,478,443 71,484,007 29 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 1,438,808 — 1,438,808 2 % 2014 Follow-On Offering 8,541,220 (8,541,220 ) — 12 % H&F Conversion 1,381,887 (1,381,887 ) — 2 % Holdings Common Unit Exchanges 1,865,924 (1,865,924 ) — 3 % Delivery of Shares Underlying RSUs (1) 4,728 — 4,728 — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 34,238,131 38,689,412 72,927,543 47 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 548,674 — 548,674 1 % 2015 Follow-On Offering 3,831,550 (3,831,550 ) — 5 % Holdings Common Unit Exchanges 826,809 (826,809 ) — 1 % Employee Terminations (1) (12,559 ) (54,730 ) (67,289 ) — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 39,432,605 33,976,323 73,408,928 54 % (1) The impact of the transaction on APAM’s ownership percentage was less than 1%. Since APAM continues to have a controlling interest in Holdings, changes in ownership of Holdings are accounted for as equity transactions. Additional paid-in capital and noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition are adjusted to reallocate Holdings’ historical equity to reflect the change in APAM’s ownership of Holdings. The reallocation of equity had the following impact on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition: Statement of Financial Condition For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Additional paid-in capital $ (5,463 ) $ (10,481 ) Noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings 5,399 10,105 Accumulated other comprehensive income 29 258 Deferred tax assets 35 118 Net balance sheet impact — — In addition to the reallocation of historical equity, the change in ownership resulted in an increase to deferred tax assets and additional paid in capital of $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

Variable and Voting Interest En

Variable and Voting Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity [Abstract]
Variable and voting interest entities	Artisan Funds and Artisan Global Funds Artisan serves as the investment adviser for Artisan Partners Funds, Inc. (“Artisan Funds”), a family of mutual funds registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Artisan Partners Global Funds plc (“Artisan Global Funds”), a family of Ireland-based UCITS. Artisan Funds and Artisan Global Funds are corporate entities the business and affairs of which are managed by their respective boards of directors. The shareholders of the funds retain all voting rights, including the right to elect and reelect members of their respective boards of directors. As a result, each of these entities is a voting interest entity (“VOE”). While Artisan holds, in limited cases, direct investments in a fund (which are made on the same terms as are available to other investors and do not represent a majority voting interest in any entity), Artisan does not have a controlling financial interest or a majority voting interest and, as such, does not consolidate these entities. Artisan Partners Launch Equity LP Prior to December 2014, Artisan had an agreement to serve as the investment adviser to Artisan Partners Launch Equity Fund LP (“Launch Equity”), which was a private investment partnership in which the investors were certain employees or former employees (or entities beneficially owned by such persons) of Artisan Partners Holdings. Artisan Partners Alternative Investments GP LLC (“Artisan Alternatives”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, was the general partner of Launch Equity. In December 2014, Launch Equity was liquidated and the net assets were distributed as a return of capital to all limited partners of the fund, including Artisan Partners Alternative Investments GP LLC, which received proceeds of $1 thousand. The fair value of the consideration distributed was equal to the carrying amount of Launch Equity’s net assets on the date of liquidation. As a result, no gain or loss was recorded in connection with the transaction. Prior to the dissolution, Launch Equity was determined to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) which required consolidation within Artisan’s consolidated financial statements. Prior to the dissolution, Artisan had the right to receive management fees as compensation for services provided as the investment adviser. Artisan also maintained, through Artisan Partners Alternative Investments GP LLC, a direct equity investment in the fund and had the right to receive an allocation of profits based upon Launch Equity’s net capital appreciation during a fiscal year. Each of these represented a variable interest in the fund. The limited partners of Launch Equity were certain Artisan employees and former employees and were considered related parties. Artisan determined that Launch Equity was a VIE as (a) the voting rights of the limited partners were not proportional to their obligations to absorb expected losses and rights to receive expected residual returns and (b) substantially all of Launch Equity’s activities either involved or were conducted on behalf of the limited partners (the investors that had disproportionately few voting rights) and their related parties (including Artisan). As an investment company, Launch Equity qualified for deferral of the current consolidation guidance for VIEs. The guidance applicable to investment companies required an analysis of which party, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests, such as management fees and incentive allocations, would absorb a majority of the expected variability of the entity. In determining whether Artisan was the primary beneficiary of Launch Equity, both qualitative and quantitative factors such as voting rights of the equity holders, economic participation of all parties, including how fees were earned, related party ownership and the level of involvement Artisan had in the design of the VIE, were considered. It was concluded that Artisan was the primary beneficiary as the related party group absorbed a majority of the variability associated with Launch Equity and Artisan was the member within the related party group that was most closely associated with the VIE. Although Artisan had only a minimal equity investment in Launch Equity, as the general partner, it controlled Launch Equity’s management and affairs. As a result, it was concluded that Artisan was the primary beneficiary of Launch Equity and its results are included in Artisan’s consolidated financial statements. Artisan’s maximum exposure to investment loss from its involvement with Launch Equity was limited to its equity investment of $1 thousand while the potential benefit was limited to the management fee and incentive allocation receivable as investment adviser and general partner. Therefore, the gains or losses of Launch Equity did not have a significant impact on Artisan’s results of operations, liquidity or capital resources. Artisan had no right to the benefits from, nor did it bear the risks associated with, Launch Equity’s investments, beyond Artisan’s minimal direct investment in Launch Equity. The following tables reflect the impact of consolidating Launch Equity’s results into the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 : Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Before Launch Equity Eliminations As Reported Total revenues $ 829,155 $ — $ (454 ) $ 828,701 Total operating expenses 522,252 — (454 ) 521,798 Operating income (loss) 306,903 — — 306,903 Non-operating income (loss) (15,360 ) — — (15,360 ) Net gains (loss) of Launch Equity — (3,964 ) — (3,964 ) Total non-operating income (loss) (15,360 ) (3,964 ) — (19,324 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 291,543 (3,964 ) — 287,579 Provision for income taxes 48,829 — — 48,829 Net income (loss) 242,714 (3,964 ) — 238,750 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings 173,085 — — 173,085 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity — (3,964 ) — (3,964 ) Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 69,629 $ — $ — $ 69,629 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 Before Launch Equity Eliminations As Reported Total revenues $ 688,333 $ — $ (2,492 ) $ 685,841 Total operating expenses 949,537 — (2,492 ) 947,045 Operating income (loss) (261,204 ) — — (261,204 ) Non-operating income (loss) 42,839 — — 42,839 Net gains of Launch Equity — 10,623 — 10,623 Total non-operating income (loss) 42,839 10,623 — 53,462 Income (loss) before income taxes (218,365 ) 10,623 — (207,742 ) Provision for income taxes 26,390 — — 26,390 Net income (loss) (244,755 ) 10,623 — (234,132 ) Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings (269,562 ) — (269,562 ) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity — 10,623 — 10,623 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 24,807 $ — $ — $ 24,807

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholder's equity	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, APAM had the following authorized and outstanding equity: Outstanding Authorized December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Voting Rights (1) Economic Rights Common shares Class A, par value $0.01 per share 500,000,000 39,432,605 34,238,131 1 vote per share Proportionate Class B, par value $0.01 per share 200,000,000 18,327,222 21,463,033 5 votes per share None Class C, par value $0.01 per share 400,000,000 15,649,101 17,226,379 1 vote per share None (1) The Company’s employees to whom Artisan has granted equity have entered into a stockholders agreement with respect to all shares of APAM common stock they have acquired from the Company and any shares they may acquire from the Company in the future, pursuant to which they granted an irrevocable voting proxy to a Stockholders Committee. As of December 31, 2015, Artisan’s employees held 2,781,984 restricted shares of Class A common stock subject to the agreement and all 18,327,222 outstanding shares of Class B common stock. APAM is dependent on cash generated by Holdings to fund any dividends. Generally, Holdings will make distributions to all of its partners, including APAM, based on the proportionate ownership each holds in Holdings. APAM will fund dividends to its stockholders from its proportionate share of those distributions after provision for its taxes and other obligations. APAM declared and paid the following dividends per share during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Type of Dividend Class of Stock For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Quarterly Common Class A $2.40 $2.20 $0.86 Special Annual Common Class A $0.95 $1.63 $— Quarterly Convertible Preferred $— $3.81 $— APAM issued (canceled) the following shares during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Total Stock Outstanding Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock Class C Common Stock Convertible Preferred Stock Balance at January 1, 2014 71,484,007 19,807,436 25,271,889 25,206,554 1,198,128 2014 Follow-On Offering — 9,284,337 (3,705,453 ) (4,835,767 ) (743,117 ) H&F Conversion — 1,836,898 — (1,381,887 ) (455,011 ) Holdings Common Unit Exchanges — 1,865,924 (10,260 ) (1,855,664 ) — Restricted Share Award Grants 1,444,688 1,444,688 — — — Restricted Share Award Net Share Settlement (5,880 ) (5,880 ) — — — Delivery of Shares Underlying RSUs (1) 4,728 4,728 — — — Employee Terminations — — (93,143 ) 93,143 — Balance at December 31, 2014 72,927,543 34,238,131 21,463,033 17,226,379 — 2015 Follow-On Offering — 3,831,550 (2,415,253 ) (1,416,297 ) — Holdings Common Unit Exchanges — 826,809 (355,305 ) (471,504 ) — Restricted Share Award Grants 562,950 562,950 — — — Restricted Share Award Net Share Settlement (14,276 ) (14,276 ) — — — Employee Terminations (67,289 ) (12,559 ) (365,253 ) 310,523 — Balance at December 31, 2015 73,408,928 39,432,605 18,327,222 15,649,101 — (1) There were 122,990 and 20,612 restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Restricted stock units are not reflected in the table because they are not considered outstanding or issued stock. Each Class A, Class B, Class D and Class E common unit of Holdings (together with the corresponding share of Class B or Class C common stock) is exchangeable for one share of Class A common stock. The corresponding shares of Class B and Class C common stock are immediately canceled upon any such exchange. The preferred units of Holdings (together with the corresponding shares of Class C common stock) were also exchangeable for Class A common stock generally on a one-for-one basis. APAM’s convertible preferred stock was convertible into Class A common stock generally on a one-for-one basis. Upon termination of employment with Artisan, an employee-partner’s unvested Class B common units are forfeited. Generally, the employee-partner’s vested Class B common units are exchanged for Class E common units. The employee-partner’s shares of Class B common stock are canceled and APAM issues the former employee-partner a number of shares of Class C common stock equal to the former employee-partner’s number of Class E common units. Class E common units are exchangeable for Class A common stock subject to the same restrictions and limitations on exchange applicable to the other common units of Holdings. Artisan Partners Holdings - Partners’ Equity Holdings makes distributions of its net income to the holders of its partnership units for income taxes as required under the terms of the partnership agreement and also makes additional distributions under the terms of the partnership agreement. The distributions are recorded in the financial statements on the declaration date, or on the payment date in lieu of a declaration date. Holdings’ partnership distributions for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 were as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Holdings Partnership Distributions to Limited Partners $182,175 $266,838 $290,511 Holdings Partnership Distributions to APAM $186,711 $160,353 $41,450 Total Holdings Partnership Distributions $368,886 $427,191 $331,961 The portion of these distributions made to all partners are recorded as a reduction to consolidated stockholders’ equity, with the exception of the portion of distributions made to APAM, which is eliminated upon consolidation. The portion of these distributions made prior to the IPO to the holders of Class B common units (which were classified as liability awards prior to the IPO) are reflected as compensation and benefits expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and totaled $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits	Total compensation and benefits consists of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Salaries, incentive compensation and benefits (1) $ 335,700 $ 327,154 $ 301,621 Restricted share based award compensation expense 36,467 23,148 7,542 Total salaries, incentive compensation and benefits 372,167 350,302 309,163 Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards 42,071 64,664 404,160 Pre-offering related compensation - other — — 143,035 Total compensation and benefits $ 414,238 $ 414,966 $ 856,358 (1) Excluding restricted share based award compensation expense Incentive compensation Cash incentive compensation paid to members of Artisan’s portfolio management teams and members of its distribution teams is generally based on formulas that are tied directly to revenues. These payments are made in the quarter following the quarter in which the incentive was earned with the exception of fourth quarter payments which are paid in the fourth quarter of the year. Cash incentive compensation paid to most other employees is discretionary and subjectively determined based on individual performance and Artisan’s overall results during the applicable year and has historically been paid in the fourth quarter of the year. The cash incentive compensation earned by named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2015, was paid in 2016. Restricted share based awards Artisan has registered 14,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, APAM has granted a combination of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units (collectively referred to as “restricted share based awards”) of Class A common stock to employees. The restricted share based awards generally vest on a pro rata basis over five years. Certain share based awards will vest upon a combination of both (1) pro-rata annual time vesting and (2) qualifying retirement (as defined in the award agreements). Unvested awards are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment. Grantees receiving the awards are entitled to dividends on unvested and vested shares and units. As of December 31, 2015 , 10,336,935 shares of Class A common stock were reserved and available for issuance under the Plan. Compensation expense related to the restricted share based awards is recognized based on the estimated grant date fair value, for only those awards expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The initial requisite service period is generally five years for all share based awards. The Company estimated the number of awards expected to vest based, in part, on historical forfeiture rates and also based on management’s expectations of employee turnover. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods, if necessary, based on actual forfeiture activity. The following table summarizes the restricted share based award activity for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Awards Unvested at January 1, 2013 $ — — Granted $ 52.36 1,575,157 Forfeited — — Vested — — Unvested at January 1, 2014 $ 52.36 1,575,157 Granted $ 52.85 1,444,688 Forfeited — — Vested $ 52.61 (319,211 ) Unvested at January 1, 2015 $ 52.59 2,700,634 Granted $ 48.17 642,950 Forfeited $ 52.71 (12,559 ) Vested $ 52.69 (469,041 ) Unvested at December 31, 2015 $ 51.58 2,861,984 Compensation expense recognized related to the restricted share based awards was $36.5 million , $23.1 million and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The aggregate vesting date fair value of awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $22.0 million and $16.4 million , respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense for the unvested restricted share based awards as of December 31, 2015 was $120.8 million with a weighted average recognition period of 3.5 years remaining. The initial requisite service period and remaining weighted average recognition period for career shares and standard restricted shares are substantially equivalent. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company withheld a total of 14,276 and 5,880 restricted shares, respectively, as a result of net share settlements to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations. The Company paid $0.7 million and $0.3 million in employee tax withholding obligations related to employee share transactions during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. These net share settlements had the effect of shares repurchased and retired by the Company, as they reduced the number of shares outstanding. Pre-offering related compensation consists of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Change in value of Class B liability awards $ — $ — $ 41,942 Class B award modification expense — — 287,292 Amortization expense on pre-offering Class B awards 42,071 64,664 74,926 Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards 42,071 64,664 404,160 Pre-offering related cash incentive compensation — — 56,788 Pre-offering related bonus make-whole compensation — — 20,520 Distributions on Class B liability awards — — 65,727 Pre-offering related compensation - other — — 143,035 Total pre-offering related compensation $ 42,071 $ 64,664 $ 547,195 Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards Historical Class B share-based awards Holdings historically granted Class B share-based awards to certain employees. These awards vested over a period of five years. Prior to the IPO, all vested Class B awards were subject to mandatory redemption on termination of employment for any reason and were reflected as liabilities measured at fair value; unvested Class B awards were forfeited on termination of employment. The vested Class B liability awards of a terminated employee were historically redeemed in cash in annual installments, generally over the five years following termination of employment. The change in value of Class B liability awards and distributions to Class B limited partners were treated as compensation expense. Historical redemption of Class B awards Holdings historically redeemed the Class B awards of partners whose employment was terminated. The redemption value of the awards was determined in accordance with the terms of the grant agreement pursuant to which the award was granted. The remaining redemption payment liability for Class B awards of partners whose services to Holdings terminated prior to the IPO was $5.6 million and $14.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Redemption payments of $8.7 million were made for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Modification of Class B share-based awards As a part of the IPO Reorganization, the Class B grant agreements were amended to eliminate the cash redemption feature. The amendment was considered a modification under ASC 718 and the Class B awards have been classified as equity awards since such modification. As a result of the modification, Artisan recognized a non-recurring expense of $287.3 million based on the elimination of the redemption feature associated with the Class B awards recorded as the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the liability associated with the vested Class B common units immediately prior to the IPO. For any unvested Class B awards, Artisan will recognize recurring non-cash compensation expense on a straight line basis over the remaining vesting period. The following table summarizes the activity related to unvested Class B awards for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013: Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Class B Awards Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2013 $ 30.00 9,911,720 Granted — — Forfeited 30.00 (82,655 ) Vested 30.00 (2,579,223 ) Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2014 $ 30.00 7,249,842 Granted — — Forfeited — — Vested 30.00 (3,204,826 ) Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2015 $ 30.00 4,045,016 Granted — — Forfeited 30.00 (54,730 ) Vested 30.00 (1,641,952 ) Unvested at December 31, 2015 $ 30.00 2,348,334 The unrecognized compensation expense for the unvested Class B awards as of December 31, 2015 was $43.5 million with a weighted average recognition period of 1.5 years remaining. Pre-offering related compensation - other During the year ended December 31, 2013, Artisan also incurred pre-offering related compensation charges of $56.8 million to pay cash incentive compensation to certain portfolio managers and $20.5 million representing profits after the IPO otherwise allocable and distributable, in the aggregate, to Holdings’ pre-IPO non-employee partners that instead was allocated and distributed to certain employee-partners. For the period between January 1, 2013 and the IPO, profits distributions totaling $65.7 million were made to Class B partners.

Income Taxes and Related Paymen

Income Taxes and Related Payments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes and related payments	APAM is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxation on APAM’s allocable portion of Holdings’ income. Components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 26,090 $ 27,094 $ 13,816 State and local 3,560 3,982 2,719 Foreign 600 184 471 Total 30,250 31,260 17,006 Deferred: Federal 22,916 21,402 9,089 State and local (6,395 ) (3,833 ) 295 Total 16,521 17,569 9,384 Income tax expense $ 46,771 $ 48,829 $ 26,390 The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax computed by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income before provision for income taxes as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 U.S. federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Non-deductible share-based compensation 2.9 3.1 2.6 Rate benefit from the flow through entity (17.7 ) (20.8 ) (27.4 ) Change in deferred state tax rate (3.0 ) (1.7 ) — Other 0.9 1.4 1.4 Effective tax rate 18.1 % 17.0 % 11.6 % The effective tax rate includes a rate benefit attributable to the fact that approximately 50% , 60% and 78% of Artisan Partners Holdings’ taxable earnings were attributable to other partners and not taxable to APAM for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. This favorable impact is partially offset by the impact of certain permanent items, primarily attributable to pre-IPO share-based compensation expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes. The H&F Corp Merger described in Note 2, “Reorganization and IPO” resulted in an increase in amortizable basis and the transfer of other tax attributes which APAM expects will reduce future U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and result in payments under the TRA between APAM and the Pre-H&F Merger Shareholder. The purchase by APAM of investor’s limited partnership units and the exchange of their limited partnership units subsequent to the IPO also resulted in an increase in amortizable basis which APAM expects will reduce future U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and result in payments under the TRA between APAM and the limited partners of Holdings. The TRAs require APAM to pay to the applicable counterparty an amount equal to 85% of the cash tax savings (if any) resulting from such increased tax benefits from the transactions giving rise to the tax benefit. Amounts payable under tax receivable agreements are estimates which may be impacted by factors, including but not limited to, expected tax rates, projected taxable income, and projected ownership levels. Changes in the estimates of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements are recorded as non-operating income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 3, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further information. Transactions during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 resulted in the following impact to deferred tax assets and amounts payable under the TRAs: Amounts payable under tax receivable agreements Deferred Tax Asset - Amortizable basis December 31, 2013 $ 160,663 $ 183,858 2014 Follow-On Offering, H&F Conversion and Exchanges 328,949 386,667 Amortization — (23,472 ) Payments under TRA (1) (4,645 ) — Change in estimate 4,187 4,899 December 31, 2014 489,154 551,952 2015 Follow-On Offering and Exchanges 107,740 126,753 Amortization — (33,128 ) Payments under TRA (1) (20,040 ) — Change in estimate 12,247 14,677 December 31, 2015 $ 589,101 $ 660,254 (1) Interest of $179 thousand and $36 thousand was paid in addition to these TRA payments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net deferred tax assets comprise the following: As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Amortizable basis (1) $ 660,254 $ 551,952 Other (2) 18,283 10,444 Total deferred tax assets 678,537 562,396 Less: valuation allowance (3) — — Net deferred tax assets $ 678,537 $ 562,396 (1) Represents the unamortized step-up of tax basis and other tax attributes from the H&F Corp Merger described above, the purchase of common and preferred units by APAM, and the exchange of common and preferred units for Class A common shares of APAM. (2) Represents the net deferred tax assets associated with the merger described above and other miscellaneous deferred tax assets. (3) Artisan assessed whether the deferred tax assets would be realizable and determined based on its history of taxable income that the benefits would more likely than not be realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance is required. Accounting standards establish a minimum threshold for recognizing, and a system for measuring, the benefits of income tax return positions in financial statements. There were no uncertain tax positions recorded as of December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . In the normal course of business, Artisan is subject to examination by federal and certain state, local and foreign tax regulators. As of December 31, 2015 , U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2012 through 2014 are open and therefore subject to examination. State and local tax returns are generally subject to audit from 2011 to 2014. Foreign tax returns are generally subject to audit from 2011 to 2014. APAM is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year 2014.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition represents the portion of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to APAM, and consists of the following: As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Unrealized gain on investments $ 77 $ 326 Foreign currency translation (452 ) (120 ) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) $ (375 ) $ 206 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) represents the portion of comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the equity ownership interests in Holdings held by the limited partners of Holdings.

Earnings (loss) Per Share (Note

Earnings (loss) Per Share (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method for the periods ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 were as follows: Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 For the period from March 12, 2013 through December 31, 2013 Numerator: Net income attributable to APAM $ 81,801 $ 69,629 $ 24,807 Less: Convertible preferred stock deemed dividends — 22,694 32,215 Less: Subsidiary preferred equity deemed dividends — 27,619 19,457 Less: Allocation to participating securities 16,033 29,616 1,300 Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 65,768 $ (10,300 ) $ (28,165 ) Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding 35,448,550 27,514,394 13,780,378 Earnings (loss) per share $ 1.86 $ (0.37 ) $ (2.04 ) As described in Note 2. Reorganization and IPO , the consideration Artisan paid to purchase shares of its convertible preferred stock in connection with the 2014 Follow-On Offering and 2013 Follow-On Offering exceeded the carrying amount of the shares of convertible preferred stock on Artisan’s consolidated balance sheet; the excess was subtracted from net income as a deemed dividend to arrive at income available to common stockholders in the earnings per share calculation. The purchase of subsidiary preferred equity in March 2014 resulted in a similar deemed dividend, which also reduced net income available to common stockholders. Allocation to participating securities generally represents dividends paid to holders of unvested restricted share based awards and convertible preferred stock and also reduces net income available to common stockholders. The following table summarizes the weighted-average shares outstanding that are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Anti-Dilutive Weighted Average Shares Outstanding For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Holdings limited partnership units 34,960,945 42,194,109 53,867,514 Convertible preferred stock — 355,228 2,305,018 Unvested restricted share based awards 3,052,630 2,131,068 894,732 Total 38,013,575 44,680,405 57,067,264 The Holdings limited partnership units are anti-dilutive primarily due to the impact of public company expenses and unrecognized share-based compensation expense. Unvested restricted share based awards are anti-dilutive, primarily because the unvested awards are considered participating securities. Convertible preferred stock was anti-dilutive in 2014 and 2013 because all potential common shares are considered anti-dilutive in periods with a net loss available to common stockholders.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit plans	Artisan has a 401(k) plan and similar foreign arrangements for its employees, under which it provides a matching contribution on employees’ pre-tax contributions. Expenses related to Artisan’s benefits plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were $5.5 million , $4.9 million and $4.4 million , respectively, and are included in compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Artisan provides an opportunity for eligible employees to participate in Artisan’s financial growth and success through equity linked incentive awards. Prior to 2015, designated employees received an annual award of units pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan that vest on the third anniversary of the award date. The appreciation of the units, if any, is based upon a stated formula and paid in cash to participants after vesting. In 2015, Artisan began granting employees phantom equity awards, pursuant to the Artisan Partners Holdings LP Phantom Equity Plan. The phantom equity awards provide participants the right to receive cash payments upon vesting based on the trading price of APAM’s Class A common stock. Awards made under the Phantom Equity Plan are liability awards and are subject to vesting on a pro rata basis over five years. Under both plans, award recipients must be employed by Artisan on the vesting date in order to receive payment. Expenses related to these plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were $0.2 million , $1.2 million and $1.5 million , respectively, and are included in compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The liability at December 31, 2015 and 2014 for these plans was $1.1 million and $2.0 million , respectively.

Indemnifications

Indemnifications	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Indemnifications	In the normal course of business, APAM enters into agreements that include indemnities in favor of third parties. Holdings has also agreed to indemnify APAM as its general partner, Artisan Investment Corporation (“AIC”) as its former general partner, the directors and officers of APAM, the directors and officers of AIC as its former general partner, the members of its former Advisory Committee, and its partners, directors, officers, employees and agents. Holdings’ subsidiaries may also have similar agreements to indemnify their respective general partner(s), directors, officers, directors and officers of their general partner(s), partners, members, employees, and agents. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against us that have not yet occurred. APAM maintains insurance policies that may provide coverage against certain claims under these indemnities.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment	The composition of property and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: As of December 31, 2015 2014 Computers and equipment $ 7,551 $ 5,910 Computer software 4,966 4,021 Furniture and fixtures 6,892 6,654 Leasehold improvements 19,673 17,049 Total Cost 39,082 33,634 Less: Accumulated depreciation (21,087 ) (17,040 ) Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation $ 17,995 $ 16,594 Depreciation expense totaled $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 , and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Lease Commitments

Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease commitments	Artisan has lease commitments for office space, furniture, and equipment, which are accounted for as operating leases. Certain lease agreements provide for scheduled rent increases over the lease term. Artisan records rent expense for operating leases with scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective agreement. In addition, Artisan has received certain lease incentives, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease agreement. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $9.7 million , $9.4 million and $8.4 million , respectively. At December 31, 2015 , the aggregate future minimum payments for leases for each of the following five years and thereafter are as follows: 2016 $ 10,083 2017 9,757 2018 9,929 2019 8,329 2020 7,430 Thereafter 29,781 Total $ 75,309

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related party transactions	The current named executive officers of APAM and certain members of APAM’s board (or their affiliates) are limited partners of Holdings. As a result, certain transactions (such as TRA payments) between Artisan and the limited partners of Holdings are considered to be related party transactions with respect to these persons. Holdings also makes estimated state tax payments on behalf of certain limited partners, including related parties. These payments are then netted from subsequent distributions to the limited partners. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, accounts receivables included $0.6 million and $5.8 million , respectively, of partnership tax reimbursements due from Holdings’ limited partners, including related parties. Affiliate transactions—Artisan Funds Artisan has an agreement to serve as the investment adviser to Artisan Funds, with which certain of Artisan employees are affiliated. Under the terms of the agreement, which generally is reviewed and continued by the board of directors of Artisan Funds annually, a fee is paid to Artisan based on an annual percentage of the average daily net assets of each Artisan Fund ranging from 0.63% to 1.25% . Artisan generally collects revenues related to these services on the last business day of each month and records them in management fees in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Artisan has contractually agreed to waive its management fees or reimburse for expenses incurred to the extent necessary to limit annualized ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain of the Artisan Funds to not more than a fixed percentage (ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% ) of a Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition, Artisan may voluntarily waive fees or reimburse any of the Artisan Funds for other expenses. The officers and a director of Artisan Funds who are affiliated with Artisan receive no compensation from the funds. Fees for managing the Funds and amounts waived or reimbursed by Artisan for fees and expenses (including management fees) are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment management fees: Artisan Funds $ 528,098 $ 561,202 $ 455,047 Fee waiver / expense reimbursement: Artisan Funds $ 444 $ 63 $ 291 Affiliate transactions—Artisan Global Funds Artisan has an agreement to serve as the investment adviser to Artisan Global Funds, with which certain of Artisan employees are affiliated. Under the terms of these agreements, a fee is paid based on an annual percentage of the average daily net assets of each fund ranging from 0.75% to 1.80% . Artisan reimburses each sub-fund of Artisan Global Funds to the extent that sub-fund’s expenses, not including Artisan’s fee, exceed certain levels, which range from 0.10% to 0.20% . In addition, Artisan may voluntarily waive fees or reimburse any of the Artisan Global Funds for other expenses. The directors of Artisan Global Funds who are affiliated with Artisan receive no compensation from the funds. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , accounts receivable included $1.3 million due from Artisan Global Funds. Fees for managing Artisan Global Funds and amounts reimbursed to Artisan Global Funds by Artisan are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment management fees: Artisan Global Funds $ 15,218 $ 14,172 $ 9,291 Fee waiver / expense reimbursement: Artisan Global Funds $ 441 $ 493 $ 752 Affiliate transactions—Launch Equity Prior to the dissolution described in Note 9, Artisan had an agreement to serve as the investment adviser to Launch Equity. Under the terms of Artisan’s agreement with Launch Equity, Artisan earned a quarterly fee based on the value of the closing capital account of each limited partner for the quarter, at the rate of 1.00% (annualized). At Artisan’s discretion, the fee was waived and certain expenses reimbursed to the extent they exceeded a certain level. Artisan waived 100% of the quarterly fee and reimbursed Launch Equity for all operating expenses, and Artisan also waived other expenses as well. Artisan was also entitled to receive an allocation of profits equal to 20% of Launch Equity’s net capital appreciation as determined at the conclusion of its fiscal year. That amount, which Artisan also waived, was calculated at the end of the Launch Equity’s fiscal year. Artisan waived its incentive allocation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 . No incentive fees were paid in 2014. Expense reimbursements $163 thousand and $172 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk an

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Relationships	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of credit risk and significant relationships	Services provided to the following Artisan Funds generated over ten percent of total revenues for the periods presented. Fees for managing the Funds and the percentage of total revenues are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, Artisan Fund 2015 2014 2013 U.S. Mid-Cap Growth $ 88,175 $ 90,683 $ 76,327 Percent of total revenues 11.0 % 10.9 % 11.1 % U.S. Mid-Cap Value $ 75,445 $ 106,463 $ 93,774 Percent of total revenues 9.4 % 12.9 % 13.7 % Non-U.S. Growth $ 176,695 $ 156,537 $ 116,173 Percent of total revenues 21.9 % 18.9 % 16.9 % Non-U.S. Value $ 105,600 $ 108,837 $ 88,342 Percent of total revenues 13.1 % 13.1 % 12.9 % Artisan generates a portion of its revenues from clients domiciled in various countries outside the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 10% , 9% and 9% of Artisan’s investment management fees, respectively, were earned from clients located outside of the United States.

Litigation Matters

Litigation Matters	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Litigation Matters	In the normal course of business, Artisan may be subject to various legal and administrative proceedings. Currently, there are no legal or administrative proceedings that management believes may have a material effect on Artisan’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	The following table presents unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2015 and 2014 . These quarterly results reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results. Revenues and net income can vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to the nature of Artisan’s business activities. For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 203,575 $ 211,573 $ 198,313 $ 192,008 Operating income $ 67,829 $ 78,313 $ 70,555 $ 65,688 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests-Artisan Partners Holdings $ 33,932 $ 35,522 $ 31,674 $ 29,177 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 19,514 $ 23,736 $ 18,474 $ 20,077 Earnings per Share: Basic and diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.50 $ 0.44 $ 0.47 For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2014 June 30, 2014 Sept. 30, 2014 Dec. 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 201,792 $ 208,487 $ 212,406 $ 206,016 Operating income $ 67,152 $ 80,825 $ 81,016 $ 77,910 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests-Artisan Partners Holdings $ 44,149 $ 45,547 $ 43,243 $ 40,146 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 8,636 $ 19,260 $ 20,439 $ 21,294 Earnings (loss) per Share: Basic and diluted $ (2.29 ) $ 0.42 $ 0.57 $ 0.58 The summation of quarterly earnings per share does not equal annual earnings per share because the calculations are performed independently.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Note 23. Subsequent Events Restricted Share Based Awards On January 26, 2016, the board of directors of APAM approved the grant of 1,102,660 restricted share based awards to certain employees pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. Approximately half of these awards will vest pro rata in the first fiscal quarter of each of the next five years. The remaining awards will generally vest upon a combination of both (1) pro-rata annual time vesting and (2) qualifying retirement (as defined in the award agreements). Compensation expense associated with these awards is expected to be approximately $33.6 million , which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Distributions and dividends On January 26, 2016, the board of directors of APAM declared a distribution by Artisan Partners Holdings of $41.8 million to holders of Artisan Partners Holdings partnership units, including APAM. On the same date, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share of Class A common stock and a special annual dividend of $0.40 per share of Class A common stock. Both common stock dividends, a total of $1.00 per share, are payable on February 29, 2016 to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2016.

Summary of Significant Accoun32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and related rules and regulations of the SEC. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates or assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates or assumptions.
Principles of consolidation	Artisan’s policy is to consolidate all subsidiaries or other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which Artisan is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is deemed to be the entity that has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the subsidiary so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of APAM, all subsidiaries or other entities in which APAM has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest and VIEs of which Artisan is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Artisan’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Artisan Partners Alternative Investments GP LLC, was the general partner of Artisan Partners Launch Equity LP (“Launch Equity”), a private investment partnership that was considered a VIE. Launch Equity was considered an investment company and therefore accounted for under Accounting Standard Codification Topic (“ASC”) 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies”. Artisan had retained the specialized industry accounting principles of this investment company in its consolidated financial statements. Launch Equity was liquidated and dissolved in December 2014. See Note 9, “Variable and Voting Interest Entities” for additional details. The Company makes initial seed investments in sponsored investment portfolios at the portfolio’s formation. If the seed investment results in a controlling financial interest, APAM consolidates the fund, and the underlying individual securities are accounted for as trading securities. Seed investments in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest are classified as available-for-sale investments, as described below under “-Investment Securities”. As of December 31, 2015, APAM does not have a controlling financial interest in any of the funds in which it has made a seed investment.
Tax receivable agreements (TRAs)	In connection with the IPO, APAM entered into two tax receivable agreements. The first TRA, generally provides for the payment by APAM to the Pre-H&F Merger Shareholder of 85% of the applicable cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income taxes that APAM actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) as a result of (i) the tax attributes of the preferred units APAM acquired in the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the private equity fund into APAM in March 2013, (ii) net operating losses available as a result of the merger and (iii) tax benefits related to imputed interest. The second TRA generally provides for the payment by APAM to current or former limited partners of Holdings of 85% of the applicable cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income taxes that APAM actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) as a result of (i) certain tax attributes of their units sold to APAM or exchanged (for shares of Class A common stock, convertible preferred stock or other consideration) and that are created as a result of such sales or exchanges and payments under the TRAs and (ii) tax benefits related to imputed interest. Under both agreements, APAM generally will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of the applicable tax savings. For purposes of the TRAs, cash savings in tax are calculated by comparing APAM’s actual income tax liability to the amount it would have been required to pay had it not been able to utilize any of the tax benefits subject to the TRAs, unless certain assumptions apply. The TRAs will continue in effect until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless APAM exercises its right to terminate the agreements or payments under the agreements are accelerated in the event that APAM materially breaches any of its material obligations under the agreements. The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under these agreements, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of sales or exchanges by the holders of limited partnership units, the price of the Class A common stock at the time of such sales or exchanges, whether such sales or exchanges are taxable, the amount and timing of the taxable income APAM generates in the future and the tax rate then applicable and the portion of APAM’s payments under the TRAs constituting imputed interest. Payments under the TRAs, if any, will be made pro rata among all TRA counterparties entitled to payments on an annual basis to the extent APAM has sufficient taxable income to utilize the increased depreciation and amortization charges. Artisan expects to make payments under the TRAs, to the extent they are required, within 125 days after APAM’s federal income tax return is filed for each fiscal year. Interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate equal to one-year LIBOR plus 100 basis points from the due date (without extension) of such tax return.
Operating segments	Artisan operates in one segment, the investment management industry. Artisan provides investment management services to separate accounts and mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles. Management assesses the financial performance of these vehicles on a combined basis.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents Artisan defines cash and cash equivalents as money market funds and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature and liquidity of these financial instruments. For disclosure purposes, cash equivalents are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Cash and cash equivalents are subject to credit risk and were primarily maintained in demand deposit accounts with financial institutions or treasury money market funds.
Foreign currency translation	Assets and liabilities of foreign operations whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated at prevailing year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expenses of such foreign operations are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net effect of the translation adjustment for foreign operations is included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The cumulative effect of translation adjustments is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, based on current ownership levels.
Accounts receivable	Accounts receivable Accounts receivable are carried at invoiced amounts and consist primarily of investment management fees that have been earned, but not yet received from clients. Due to the short-term nature of the receivables, the carrying values of these assets approximate fair value. The accounts receivable balance does not include any allowance for doubtful accounts as Artisan believes all accounts receivable balances are fully collectible. There has not been any bad debt expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 .
Investment securities	Investment securities Investment securities consist of investments in mutual funds for which Artisan is the investment adviser and are classified as available-for-sale. Investments provide exposure to various risks, including price risk (the risk of a potential future decline in value of the investment) and foreign currency risk. Investments in registered mutual funds are carried at fair value at their respective net asset values as of the valuation date. Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Dividend income from these investments is recognized when earned and is included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Realized gains (losses) are computed on a specific identification basis and are recorded in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investment securities are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis when the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value.
Property and equipment	Property and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from three to seven years. Depreciation for leasehold improvements is recognized over the applicable life of the asset class, typically the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Property and equipment is tested for impairment when there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When an asset is determined to not be recoverable, the impairment loss is measured based on the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value.
Restricted cash	Restricted cash represents cash that is restricted as collateral on a standby letter of credit related to a lease obligation.
Revenue recognition	Investment management fees are generally computed as a percentage of average daily assets under management and recognized as earned. Fees for providing investment advisory services are computed and billed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable investment management agreements, generally on a monthly or quarterly basis. The investment management agreements for a small number of accounts provide for performance-based fees. Performance-based fees, if earned, are recognized on the contractually determined measurement date. Performance-based fees generally are not subject to claw back as a result of performance declines subsequent to the most recent measurement date. Investment management fees are presented net of cash rebates and fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.
Unit and share-based compensation	Unit-based compensation Prior to the IPO Reorganization, Class B limited partnership interests were granted to certain employees. The Class B limited partnership interests provided both an interest in future profits of Holdings as well as an interest in the overall value of Holdings. Class B limited partnership interests generally vested ratably over a five -year period from the date of grant. Holders of Class B limited partnership interests were entitled to fully participate in profits from and after the date of grant. The distribution of profits associated with these limited partnership interests was recorded as compensation expense. Compensation cost was recognized as expense over the requisite service period for vesting, typically five years. Grants of Class B interests were considered liability awards, with changes in fair value recorded as compensation expense. Fair value was calculated using a combination of an income approach and a market approach. During 2013, the Class B common units were modified, which eliminated the cash redemption feature and liability classification. See Note 11, “Compensation and Benefits” for details on the modification of these awards. Share-based compensation Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on grant-date fair value on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Forfeiture assumptions are evaluated on a quarterly basis and updated as necessary. The awards generally vest ratably over a five -year vesting period, beginning on the date of grant. Certain awards vest upon a combination of both (1) pro-rata annual time vesting over five years and (2) qualifying retirement (as defined in the award agreements).
Distribution fees	Artisan Funds has authorized certain financial services companies, broker-dealers, banks or other intermediaries, and in some cases, other organizations designated by an authorized intermediary to accept purchase, exchange, and redemption orders for shares of Artisan Funds on the funds’ behalf. Many intermediaries charge a fee for accounting and shareholder services provided to fund shareholders on the funds’ behalf. Those services typically include recordkeeping, transaction processing for shareholders’ accounts, and other services. The fee is either based on the number of accounts to which the intermediary provides such services or a percentage of the average daily value of fund shares held in such accounts. The funds pay a portion of such fees directly to the intermediaries, which are intended to compensate the intermediary for its provision of services of the type that would be provided by the funds’ transfer agent or other service providers if the shares were registered directly on the books of the funds’ transfer agent. Artisan pays the balance of those fees which includes compensation to the intermediary for its distribution and marketing of Artisan Funds shares. Artisan Global Funds also have distribution arrangements pursuant to which Artisan is required to pay a portion of its investment management fee for distribution and marketing of Artisan Global Funds shares. Distribution fees paid by Artisan are presented as an operating expense as Artisan is the principal in its role as the primary obligor related to distribution and marketing services. Distribution fees paid to intermediaries were as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total intermediary fees incurred related to Artisan Funds $ 120,402 $ 133,745 $ 112,360 Less: fees incurred by Artisan Funds 80,390 89,372 78,036 Fees incurred by Artisan 40,012 44,373 34,324 Global Funds distribution and other marketing expenses 3,614 4,759 4,074 Total distribution and marketing $ 43,626 $ 49,132 $ 38,398 Accrued fees to intermediaries were $4.6 million and $6.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Leases	Rent under non-cancelable operating leases with scheduled rent increases or decreases is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term, beginning on the date of initial possession or the effective date of the lease agreement. Allowances and other lease incentives provided by Artisan’s landlords are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense. The difference between straight-line rent expense and rent paid and the unamortized deferred lease costs and build-out allowances are recorded as deferred lease obligations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Loss contingencies	Artisan considers the assessment of loss contingencies as a significant accounting policy because of the significant uncertainty relating to the outcome of any potential legal actions and other claims and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of the potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on Artisan’s results of operations that could result from legal actions or other claims and assessments. Artisan recognizes estimated costs to defend as incurred. Potential loss contingencies are reviewed at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the impact and status of settlements, rulings, advice of counsel and other information pertinent to a particular matter. Significant differences could exist between the actual cost required to investigate, litigate and/or settle a claim or the ultimate outcome of a suit and management’s estimate. These differences could have a material impact on Artisan’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Recoveries of losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when receipt is deemed probable. No loss contingencies were recorded at December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . Currently, there are no legal or administrative proceedings that management believes may have a material effect on Artisan’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
Income taxes	Artisan accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. Artisan recognizes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Artisan accounts for uncertain income tax positions by recognizing the impact of a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when Artisan believes it is more likely than not that the tax position would not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authorities based on the technical merits of the position.
Comprehensive income (loss)	Total comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation, net of related tax effects. The tax effects of components of other comprehensive income (loss) is calculated on the portion of comprehensive income (loss) attributable to APAM.
Partnership distributions	Artisan makes distributions to its partners (or former partners) for purposes of paying income taxes as required under the terms of Artisan Partners Holdings’ partnership agreement. Tax distributions are calculated utilizing the highest combined individual federal, state and local income tax rate among the various locations in which the partners (or former partners), as a result of owning their interests in the partnership, are subject to tax, assuming maximum applicability of the phase-out of itemized deductions contained in the Internal Revenue Code. Artisan also makes additional distributions under the terms of the partnership agreement. Distributions are recorded in the financial statements on the declaration date. Partnership distributions, excluding distributions to APAM, totaled $182.2 million , $266.8 million and $290.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively, and are reported either as pre-offering related compensation-other within the Consolidated Statements of Operations or partnership distributions within the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, depending on the timing of distributions.
Earnings per share	Basic and diluted earnings per share is computed under the two-class method by dividing income available to Class A common stockholders by the weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding during the period. Unvested restricted share based awards are excluded from the number of Class A common shares outstanding for the basic earnings per share calculation because the shares have not yet been earned by employees. Income available to Class A common stockholders is computed by reducing net income attributable to APAM by dividends declared or paid to convertible preferred stockholders during the period and earnings (distributed and undistributed) allocated to participating securities, according to their respective rights to participate in those earnings. Class B and Class C common shares do not share in profits of APAM and therefore are not reflected in the calculations. Diluted earnings per share is computed by increasing the denominator by the amount of additional Class A common shares that would have been outstanding if all potential Class A common shares had been issued. The numerator is also increased for the net income allocated to the potential Class A common shares. Potential dilutive Class A common shares consist of (1) the Class A common shares issuable upon exchange of Holdings limited partnership units for APAM Class A common stock, (2) the Class A common shares issuable upon conversion of APAM convertible preferred stock and (3) unvested restricted share-based awards.
Recent accounting pronouncements	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. In August 2015, the effective date of the ASU was deferred. The new guidance will now be effective on January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date of January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating its transition method and the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis . The ASU modifies existing consolidation guidance for determining whether certain legal entities should be consolidated. The ASU eliminates the deferral under ASU 2010-10, Consolidation - Amendments for Certain Investment Funds, and, as a result, the Company must apply the new guidance to all entities, including investment companies. The presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership has been eliminated. In addition, fees paid to decision makers that meet certain conditions no longer cause the decision makers to consolidate VIEs, in certain instances. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016, and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Based on current ownership levels, the Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to change existing consolidation conclusions. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the note liability, rather than presented as an asset. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016, and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. At December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $0.7 million of debt issuance costs in prepaid expenses and other assets on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition that meet the criteria of this amendment. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement , which provides guidance on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. The new guidance was effective on January 1, 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. ASU 2016-01 will be effective on January 1, 2018 and will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet upon adoption. After adoption, the Company’s unrealized holding gain (loss) on available for sale investment securities will be recognized through net income, which will be a change from the current treatment of recognition in other comprehensive income.

Reorganization and IPO Offering

Reorganization and IPO Offerings & Exchanges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Schedule of Sale of Stock by Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee Disclosure [Table Text Block]	Offering Date Proceeds Class A Common Stock Issued Class B Common Stock Canceled Class C Common Stock Canceled Convertible Preferred Stock Canceled Increase in Deferred Tax Assets Increase in Amounts Payable Under TRA (dollars in millions) November 6, 2013 $ 296.8 5,520,000 — (4,152,665 ) (1,367,335 ) $ 123.9 $ 105.3 March 12, 2014 $ 554.1 9,284,337 (3,705,453 ) (4,835,767 ) (743,117 ) $ 287.4 $ 244.3 March 9, 2015 $ 176.6 3,831,550 (2,415,253 ) (1,416,297 ) — $ 105.1 $ 89.4 Total $ 1,027.5 18,635,887 (6,120,706 ) (10,404,729 ) (2,110,452 ) $ 516.4 $ 439.0
Schedule of Conversions of Stock [Table Text Block]	Date of Exchange Total Units Exchanged Class A Common Units Class B Common Units Preferred Units Class E Common Units June 2, 2014 171,125 171,125 — — June 16, 2014 1,381,887 — — 1,381,887 — August 25, 2014 1,578,228 1,567,968 10,260 — — December 1, 2014 116,571 116,571 — — — Total Units Exchanged 2014 3,247,811 1,855,664 10,260 1,381,887 — March 9, 2015 527,012 169,474 332,538 — 25,000 May 21, 2015 132,961 127,729 5,232 — — August 20, 2015 145,265 127,730 17,535 — — November 18, 2015 21,571 21,571 — — — Total Units Exchanged 2015 826,809 446,504 355,305 — 25,000

Summary of Significant Accoun34

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Distribution And Marketing Fees [Table Text Block]	For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total intermediary fees incurred related to Artisan Funds $ 120,402 $ 133,745 $ 112,360 Less: fees incurred by Artisan Funds 80,390 89,372 78,036 Fees incurred by Artisan 40,012 44,373 34,324 Global Funds distribution and other marketing expenses 3,614 4,759 4,074 Total distribution and marketing $ 43,626 $ 49,132 $ 38,398

Investment Securities (Tables)

Investment Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of available-for-sale securities	The disclosures below include details of Artisan’s investments. Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value December 31, 2015 Mutual funds $ 10,069 $ 832 $ (611 ) $ 10,290 December 31, 2014 Mutual funds $ 5,618 $ 1,096 $ (2 ) $ 6,712

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities	The following provides the hierarchy of inputs used to derive fair value of Artisan’s assets and liabilities that are financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2015 Assets Cash equivalents $ 49,005 $ 49,005 $ — $ — Mutual funds 10,290 10,290 — — December 31, 2014 Assets Cash equivalents $ 44,004 $ 44,004 $ — $ — Mutual funds 6,712 6,712 — —

Borrowings (Tables)

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of borrowings	: Maturity Outstanding Balance Interest Rate Per Annum Revolving credit agreement August 2017 — NA Senior notes Series A August 2017 60,000 4.98 % Series B August 2019 50,000 5.32 % Series C August 2022 90,000 5.82 % Total borrowings $ 200,000
Aggregate maturities of debt obligations	As of December 31, 2015 , the aggregate maturities of debt obligations, based on their contractual terms, are as follows: 2016 $ — 2017 60,000 2018 — 2019 50,000 2020 — Thereafter 90,000 $ 200,000

Noncontrolling Interest - Hol38

Noncontrolling Interest - Holdings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	Holdings GP Units Limited Partnership Units Total APAM Ownership % As of March 12, 2013 15,277,742 54,713,763 69,991,505 22 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 1,575,157 — 1,575,157 2 % 2013 Follow-On Offering 4,152,665 (4,152,665 ) — 6 % Employee Terminations (1) — (82,655 ) (82,655 ) — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 21,005,564 50,478,443 71,484,007 29 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 1,438,808 — 1,438,808 2 % 2014 Follow-On Offering 8,541,220 (8,541,220 ) — 12 % H&F Conversion 1,381,887 (1,381,887 ) — 2 % Holdings Common Unit Exchanges 1,865,924 (1,865,924 ) — 3 % Delivery of Shares Underlying RSUs (1) 4,728 — 4,728 — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 34,238,131 38,689,412 72,927,543 47 % Issuance of APAM Restricted Shares 548,674 — 548,674 1 % 2015 Follow-On Offering 3,831,550 (3,831,550 ) — 5 % Holdings Common Unit Exchanges 826,809 (826,809 ) — 1 % Employee Terminations (1) (12,559 ) (54,730 ) (67,289 ) — % For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 39,432,605 33,976,323 73,408,928 54 % (1) The impact of the transaction on APAM’s ownership percentage was less than 1%.
Change in ownership [Table Text Block]	Statement of Financial Condition For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Additional paid-in capital $ (5,463 ) $ (10,481 ) Noncontrolling interest - Artisan Partners Holdings 5,399 10,105 Accumulated other comprehensive income 29 258 Deferred tax assets 35 118 Net balance sheet impact — —

Variable and Voting Interest 39

Variable and Voting Interest Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Before Launch Equity Eliminations As Reported Total revenues $ 829,155 $ — $ (454 ) $ 828,701 Total operating expenses 522,252 — (454 ) 521,798 Operating income (loss) 306,903 — — 306,903 Non-operating income (loss) (15,360 ) — — (15,360 ) Net gains (loss) of Launch Equity — (3,964 ) — (3,964 ) Total non-operating income (loss) (15,360 ) (3,964 ) — (19,324 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 291,543 (3,964 ) — 287,579 Provision for income taxes 48,829 — — 48,829 Net income (loss) 242,714 (3,964 ) — 238,750 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings 173,085 — — 173,085 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity — (3,964 ) — (3,964 ) Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 69,629 $ — $ — $ 69,629 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 Before Launch Equity Eliminations As Reported Total revenues $ 688,333 $ — $ (2,492 ) $ 685,841 Total operating expenses 949,537 — (2,492 ) 947,045 Operating income (loss) (261,204 ) — — (261,204 ) Non-operating income (loss) 42,839 — — 42,839 Net gains of Launch Equity — 10,623 — 10,623 Total non-operating income (loss) 42,839 10,623 — 53,462 Income (loss) before income taxes (218,365 ) 10,623 — (207,742 ) Provision for income taxes 26,390 — — 26,390 Net income (loss) (244,755 ) 10,623 — (234,132 ) Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings (269,562 ) — (269,562 ) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity — 10,623 — 10,623 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 24,807 $ — $ — $ 24,807

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Authorized and outstanding equity	As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, APAM had the following authorized and outstanding equity: Outstanding Authorized December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Voting Rights (1) Economic Rights Common shares Class A, par value $0.01 per share 500,000,000 39,432,605 34,238,131 1 vote per share Proportionate Class B, par value $0.01 per share 200,000,000 18,327,222 21,463,033 5 votes per share None Class C, par value $0.01 per share 400,000,000 15,649,101 17,226,379 1 vote per share None (1) The Company’s employees to whom Artisan has granted equity have entered into a stockholders agreement with respect to all shares of APAM common stock they have acquired from the Company and any shares they may acquire from the Company in the future, pursuant to which they granted an irrevocable voting proxy to a Stockholders Committee. As of December 31, 2015, Artisan’s employees held 2,781,984 restricted shares of Class A common stock subject to the agreement and all 18,327,222 outstanding shares of Class B common stock.
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	Type of Dividend Class of Stock For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Quarterly Common Class A $2.40 $2.20 $0.86 Special Annual Common Class A $0.95 $1.63 $— Quarterly Convertible Preferred $— $3.81 $—
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	Total Stock Outstanding Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock Class C Common Stock Convertible Preferred Stock Balance at January 1, 2014 71,484,007 19,807,436 25,271,889 25,206,554 1,198,128 2014 Follow-On Offering — 9,284,337 (3,705,453 ) (4,835,767 ) (743,117 ) H&F Conversion — 1,836,898 — (1,381,887 ) (455,011 ) Holdings Common Unit Exchanges — 1,865,924 (10,260 ) (1,855,664 ) — Restricted Share Award Grants 1,444,688 1,444,688 — — — Restricted Share Award Net Share Settlement (5,880 ) (5,880 ) — — — Delivery of Shares Underlying RSUs (1) 4,728 4,728 — — — Employee Terminations — — (93,143 ) 93,143 — Balance at December 31, 2014 72,927,543 34,238,131 21,463,033 17,226,379 — 2015 Follow-On Offering — 3,831,550 (2,415,253 ) (1,416,297 ) — Holdings Common Unit Exchanges — 826,809 (355,305 ) (471,504 ) — Restricted Share Award Grants 562,950 562,950 — — — Restricted Share Award Net Share Settlement (14,276 ) (14,276 ) — — — Employee Terminations (67,289 ) (12,559 ) (365,253 ) 310,523 — Balance at December 31, 2015 73,408,928 39,432,605 18,327,222 15,649,101 — (1) There were 122,990 and 20,612 restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Restricted stock units are not reflected in the table because they are not considered outstanding or issued stock.
Distributions [Table Text Block]	For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Holdings Partnership Distributions to Limited Partners $182,175 $266,838 $290,511 Holdings Partnership Distributions to APAM $186,711 $160,353 $41,450 Total Holdings Partnership Distributions $368,886 $427,191 $331,961

Compensation and Benefits (Tabl

Compensation and Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Components of Compensation Expense [Table Text Block]	For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Salaries, incentive compensation and benefits (1) $ 335,700 $ 327,154 $ 301,621 Restricted share based award compensation expense 36,467 23,148 7,542 Total salaries, incentive compensation and benefits 372,167 350,302 309,163 Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards 42,071 64,664 404,160 Pre-offering related compensation - other — — 143,035 Total compensation and benefits $ 414,238 $ 414,966 $ 856,358 (1) Excluding restricted share based award compensation expense
Restricted Share Activity [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the restricted share based award activity for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Awards Unvested at January 1, 2013 $ — — Granted $ 52.36 1,575,157 Forfeited — — Vested — — Unvested at January 1, 2014 $ 52.36 1,575,157 Granted $ 52.85 1,444,688 Forfeited — — Vested $ 52.61 (319,211 ) Unvested at January 1, 2015 $ 52.59 2,700,634 Granted $ 48.17 642,950 Forfeited $ 52.71 (12,559 ) Vested $ 52.69 (469,041 ) Unvested at December 31, 2015 $ 51.58 2,861,984
Pre-offering Related Compensation [Table Text Block]	Pre-offering related compensation consists of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Change in value of Class B liability awards $ — $ — $ 41,942 Class B award modification expense — — 287,292 Amortization expense on pre-offering Class B awards 42,071 64,664 74,926 Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards 42,071 64,664 404,160 Pre-offering related cash incentive compensation — — 56,788 Pre-offering related bonus make-whole compensation — — 20,520 Distributions on Class B liability awards — — 65,727 Pre-offering related compensation - other — — 143,035 Total pre-offering related compensation $ 42,071 $ 64,664 $ 547,195
Class B Award Activity [Table Text Block]	he following table summarizes the activity related to unvested Class B awards for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013: Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Class B Awards Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2013 $ 30.00 9,911,720 Granted — — Forfeited 30.00 (82,655 ) Vested 30.00 (2,579,223 ) Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2014 $ 30.00 7,249,842 Granted — — Forfeited — — Vested 30.00 (3,204,826 ) Unvested Class B awards at January 1, 2015 $ 30.00 4,045,016 Granted — — Forfeited 30.00 (54,730 ) Vested 30.00 (1,641,952 ) Unvested at December 31, 2015 $ 30.00 2,348,334

Income Taxes and Related Paym42

Income Taxes and Related Payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of the provision for income taxes	Components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 26,090 $ 27,094 $ 13,816 State and local 3,560 3,982 2,719 Foreign 600 184 471 Total 30,250 31,260 17,006 Deferred: Federal 22,916 21,402 9,089 State and local (6,395 ) (3,833 ) 295 Total 16,521 17,569 9,384 Income tax expense $ 46,771 $ 48,829 $ 26,390
Reconciliation of effective tax rate	The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax computed by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income before provision for income taxes as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 U.S. federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Non-deductible share-based compensation 2.9 3.1 2.6 Rate benefit from the flow through entity (17.7 ) (20.8 ) (27.4 ) Change in deferred state tax rate (3.0 ) (1.7 ) — Other 0.9 1.4 1.4 Effective tax rate 18.1 % 17.0 % 11.6 %
Schedule of DTA and TRA Payable [Table Text Block]	Amounts payable under tax receivable agreements Deferred Tax Asset - Amortizable basis December 31, 2013 $ 160,663 $ 183,858 2014 Follow-On Offering, H&F Conversion and Exchanges 328,949 386,667 Amortization — (23,472 ) Payments under TRA (1) (4,645 ) — Change in estimate 4,187 4,899 December 31, 2014 489,154 551,952 2015 Follow-On Offering and Exchanges 107,740 126,753 Amortization — (33,128 ) Payments under TRA (1) (20,040 ) — Change in estimate 12,247 14,677 December 31, 2015 $ 589,101 $ 660,254 (1) Interest of $179 thousand and $36 thousand was paid in addition to these TRA payments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Components of deferred tax assets	Net deferred tax assets comprise the following: As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Amortizable basis (1) $ 660,254 $ 551,952 Other (2) 18,283 10,444 Total deferred tax assets 678,537 562,396 Less: valuation allowance (3) — — Net deferred tax assets $ 678,537 $ 562,396 (1) Represents the unamortized step-up of tax basis and other tax attributes from the H&F Corp Merger described above, the purchase of common and preferred units by APAM, and the exchange of common and preferred units for Class A common shares of APAM. (2) Represents the net deferred tax assets associated with the merger described above and other miscellaneous deferred tax assets. (3) Artisan assessed whether the deferred tax assets would be realizable and determined based on its history of taxable income that the benefits would more likely than not be realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance is required.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi43

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Unrealized gain on investments $ 77 $ 326 Foreign currency translation (452 ) (120 ) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) $ (375 ) $ 206

Earnings (loss) Per Share (Tabl

Earnings (loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 For the period from March 12, 2013 through December 31, 2013 Numerator: Net income attributable to APAM $ 81,801 $ 69,629 $ 24,807 Less: Convertible preferred stock deemed dividends — 22,694 32,215 Less: Subsidiary preferred equity deemed dividends — 27,619 19,457 Less: Allocation to participating securities 16,033 29,616 1,300 Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 65,768 $ (10,300 ) $ (28,165 ) Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding 35,448,550 27,514,394 13,780,378 Earnings (loss) per share $ 1.86 $ (0.37 ) $ (2.04 )
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Anti-Dilutive Weighted Average Shares Outstanding For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Holdings limited partnership units 34,960,945 42,194,109 53,867,514 Convertible preferred stock — 355,228 2,305,018 Unvested restricted share based awards 3,052,630 2,131,068 894,732 Total 38,013,575 44,680,405 57,067,264

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	The composition of property and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: As of December 31, 2015 2014 Computers and equipment $ 7,551 $ 5,910 Computer software 4,966 4,021 Furniture and fixtures 6,892 6,654 Leasehold improvements 19,673 17,049 Total Cost 39,082 33,634 Less: Accumulated depreciation (21,087 ) (17,040 ) Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation $ 17,995 $ 16,594

Lease Commitments (Tables)

Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2015 , the aggregate future minimum payments for leases for each of the following five years and thereafter are as follows: 2016 $ 10,083 2017 9,757 2018 9,929 2019 8,329 2020 7,430 Thereafter 29,781 Total $ 75,309

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Artisan Funds
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of related party transactions	Fees for managing the Funds and amounts waived or reimbursed by Artisan for fees and expenses (including management fees) are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment management fees: Artisan Funds $ 528,098 $ 561,202 $ 455,047 Fee waiver / expense reimbursement: Artisan Funds $ 444 $ 63 $ 291
Artisan Global Funds
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of related party transactions	Fees for managing Artisan Global Funds and amounts reimbursed to Artisan Global Funds by Artisan are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment management fees: Artisan Global Funds $ 15,218 $ 14,172 $ 9,291 Fee waiver / expense reimbursement: Artisan Global Funds $ 441 $ 493 $ 752

Concentration of Credit Risk 48

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Relationships (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	Services provided to the following Artisan Funds generated over ten percent of total revenues for the periods presented. Fees for managing the Funds and the percentage of total revenues are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, Artisan Fund 2015 2014 2013 U.S. Mid-Cap Growth $ 88,175 $ 90,683 $ 76,327 Percent of total revenues 11.0 % 10.9 % 11.1 % U.S. Mid-Cap Value $ 75,445 $ 106,463 $ 93,774 Percent of total revenues 9.4 % 12.9 % 13.7 % Non-U.S. Growth $ 176,695 $ 156,537 $ 116,173 Percent of total revenues 21.9 % 18.9 % 16.9 % Non-U.S. Value $ 105,600 $ 108,837 $ 88,342 Percent of total revenues 13.1 % 13.1 % 12.9 % Artisan generates a portion of its revenues from clients domiciled in various countries outside the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 10% , 9% and 9% of Artisan’s investment management fees, respectively, were earned from clients located outside of the United States.

Selected Quarterly Financial 49

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	The following table presents unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2015 and 2014 . These quarterly results reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results. Revenues and net income can vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to the nature of Artisan’s business activities. For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 203,575 $ 211,573 $ 198,313 $ 192,008 Operating income $ 67,829 $ 78,313 $ 70,555 $ 65,688 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests-Artisan Partners Holdings $ 33,932 $ 35,522 $ 31,674 $ 29,177 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 19,514 $ 23,736 $ 18,474 $ 20,077 Earnings per Share: Basic and diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.50 $ 0.44 $ 0.47 For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2014 June 30, 2014 Sept. 30, 2014 Dec. 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 201,792 $ 208,487 $ 212,406 $ 206,016 Operating income $ 67,152 $ 80,825 $ 81,016 $ 77,910 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests-Artisan Partners Holdings $ 44,149 $ 45,547 $ 43,243 $ 40,146 Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. $ 8,636 $ 19,260 $ 20,439 $ 21,294 Earnings (loss) per Share: Basic and diluted $ (2.29 ) $ 0.42 $ 0.57 $ 0.58

Nature of Business and Organi50

Nature of Business and Organization (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)investment_teams	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 12, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number Of Autonomous Investment Teams | investment_teams	7
APAM economic interest in Artisan Partners Holdings LP (as a percent)	54.00%	47.00%	29.00%	22.00%
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest	100.00%
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	0.27
Net Capital	$ 154
Alternative Excess Net Capital	129
Capital	$ 25

Reorganization and IPO (Details

Reorganization and IPO (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 18, 2015	Aug. 20, 2015	May. 21, 2015	Mar. 09, 2015	Dec. 01, 2014	Aug. 25, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014	Jan. 22, 2014	Nov. 06, 2013	Jul. 17, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 22, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 18, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 12, 2013
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Shares issued during the period (shares)				0			4,728	0		0		1,438,808	0	1,575,157		548,674				0	(67,289)	0	(82,655)
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)																				14,276		5,880
Initial establishment of deferred tax assets				$ 105,100							$ 287,400		$ 123,900				$ 99,300	$ 21,600		$ 126,753		$ 386,667		$ 516,400
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements				89,400							244,300		105,300				$ 84,400	$ 18,400		107,740		328,949		439,000
Liability of Contingent Value Rights													5,900
Retained profits distributions to pre-IPO partners															$ 105,300
Repayments of Lines of Credit															90,000					0		0	$ 90,000
Payments for the repurchase of equity															76,319					0		0	76,319
Class B liability awards																									$ 552,000
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering															$ 353,400				$ (353,414)
Pre-offering related compensation - other																				$ 0		$ 0	143,035
Class A Common Stock
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 176,600							$ 554,100		$ 296,800											$ 1,027,500
Shares issued during the period (shares)				3,831,550				1,836,898		9,284,337			5,520,000											18,635,887
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)																				14,276		5,880
Shares repurchased during the period															2,720,823
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)				0							(743,117)		(1,367,335)											(2,110,452)
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted								455,011
Class C Common Stock
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)				(1,416,297)						(4,835,767)			(4,152,665)							0		0		(10,404,729)
Capital Unit, Class A [Member]
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	21,571	127,730	127,729	169,474	116,571	1,567,968			171,125											446,504		1,855,664
Capital Unit, Class B [Member]
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)				(2,415,253)						(3,705,453)			0							0		0		(6,120,706)
Follow On Offering [Member]
Reorganization and Inital Public Offering [Line Items]
Initial establishment of deferred tax assets																				$ 132,516		$ 392,058	123,888
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements																				$ 107,740		$ 328,667	$ 105,305

Reorganization and IPO Holdings

Reorganization and IPO Holdings Unit Exchanges (Details) - shares	Nov. 18, 2015	Aug. 20, 2015	May. 21, 2015	Mar. 09, 2015	Dec. 01, 2014	Aug. 25, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	21,571	145,265	132,961	527,012	116,571	1,578,228	1,381,887	171,125	826,809	3,247,811
Capital Unit, Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	21,571	127,730	127,729	169,474	116,571	1,567,968		171,125	446,504	1,855,664
Subsidiary Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted							1,381,887			1,381,887
Capital Unit, Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0	17,535	5,232	332,538		10,260			355,305	10,260
Capital Units, Class E [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted				25,000					25,000

Summary of Significant Accoun53

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Tax Receivable Agreements (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)TRA
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of Tax Receivable Agreements | TRA	2
Tax Receivable Agreements Basis Spread On Variable Rate	100
TRA percent of savings to be paid to shareholders	85.00%
TRA percent of savings to be retained by entity	15.00%
TRA, payment period from filing	125 days
Loss Contingency Accrual | $	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accoun54

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Distribution Fees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Total intermediary fees incurred related to Artisan Funds	$ 120,402	$ 133,745	$ 112,360
Less: fees incurred by Artisan Funds	80,390	89,372	78,036
Fees incurred by Artisan	40,012	44,373	34,324
Global Funds distribution and other marketing expenses	3,614	4,759	4,074
Total distribution and marketing	$ 43,626	$ 49,132	$ 38,398

Summary of Significant Accoun55

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 0.7
Accrued fees to authorized agents	$ 4.6	$ 6.6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Number of Operating Segments | segment	1
Class B Liability Awards
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years

Investment Securities (Details)

Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	$ 10,069	$ 5,618
Unrealized gains	832	1,096
Unrealized losses	(611)	(2)
Fair Value	$ 10,290	$ 6,712

Investment Securities - Narrati

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	$ 4,400	$ 38
Payments to Acquire Investments	6,750	10,031	$ 5,000
Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments	(2,724)
Gain (Loss) on Investments	400	$ 300	$ 4,100
Developing World [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Investments	$ 5,000

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 49,005	$ 44,004
Mutual funds	10,290	6,712
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	49,005	44,004
Mutual funds	10,290	6,712
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Mutual funds	0	0
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Mutual funds	$ 0	$ 0

Borrowings - Components of Borr

Borrowings - Components of Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding balance	$ 200,000	$ 200,000
Senior notes | Series A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding balance	$ 60,000	$ 60,000
Interest rate per annum	4.98%	4.98%
Senior notes | Series B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding balance	$ 50,000	$ 50,000
Interest rate per annum	5.32%	5.32%
Senior notes | Series C
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding balance	$ 90,000	$ 90,000
Interest rate per annum	5.82%	5.82%
Revolving credit agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total outstanding balance	$ 0	$ 0

Borrowings - Aggregate Maturiti

Borrowings - Aggregate Maturities of Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 0
2,017	60,000
2,018	0
2,019	50,000
2,020	0
Thereafter	90,000
Borrowings	$ 200,000	$ 200,000

Borrowings - Additional Informa

Borrowings - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 16, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense incurred on debt and credit facilities		$ 11.1	$ 11.1	$ 11.4
Revolving credit agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years
Proceeds from draw on revolving credit facility	$ 100
Commitment fee percentage		0.175%
Revolving credit agreement | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage		0.175%
Revolving credit agreement | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage		0.625%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR adjusted by a statutory reserve percentage | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		1.50%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR adjusted by a statutory reserve percentage | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		3.00%
Revolving credit agreement | Prime rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		0.50%
Revolving credit agreement | Federal funds effective rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		0.50%
Revolving credit agreement | One-month LIBOR adjusted by a statutory reserve percentage
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		1.00%
Revolving credit agreement | Margin based on leverage ratio | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		0.50%
Revolving credit agreement | Margin based on leverage ratio | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Spread on variable rate		2.00%
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	$ 200
Level 2 | Recurring
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings		$ 197

Derivative Instruments - Additi

Derivative Instruments - Additional information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability of Contingent Value Rights				$ 5,900
Net gain on the valuation of contingent value rights	$ 0	$ 0	$ 49,570

Noncontrolling Interest - Hol63

Noncontrolling Interest - Holdings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 09, 2015	Jul. 25, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014	Jan. 22, 2014	Nov. 06, 2013	Jul. 17, 2013	Apr. 22, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 18, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 12, 2013
APAM economic interest in Artisan Partners Holdings LP (as a percent)									29.00%	54.00%		47.00%	29.00%	22.00%
Units of Partnership Interest, Amount									71,484,007	73,408,928		72,927,543	71,484,007	69,991,505
Shares issued during the period (shares)	0	4,728	0	0	1,438,808	0	1,575,157	548,674		0	(67,289)	0	(82,655)
Change in APAM Economic Ownership Interest in Artisan Partners Holdings LP (as a percent)	5.00%	0.00%	2.00%	12.00%	2.00%	6.00%	2.00%	1.00%		1.00%	0.00%	3.00%	0.00%
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)										14,276		5,880
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax										$ 0		$ 0
Capital Units [Member]
Capital Units, Outstanding									50,478,443	33,976,323		38,689,412	50,478,443	54,713,763
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)	(3,831,550)	0	(1,381,887)	(8,541,220)	0	(4,152,665)	0	0		(826,809)	(54,730)	(1,865,924)	(82,655)
General Partnership Units [Member]
Shares issued during the period (shares)	3,831,550	4,728	1,381,887	8,541,220	1,438,808	4,152,665	1,575,157	548,674		826,809	(12,559)	1,865,924	0
Capital Units, Outstanding									21,005,564	39,432,605		34,238,131	21,005,564	15,277,742
Additional Paid-in Capital
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax									$ 50,312	$ 5,463		$ 10,481
Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax									$ 313	35		118
Deferred Tax Assets [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital
Cumulative impact of changes in ownership of Artisan Partners Holdings LP, net of tax										$ 5,800		$ 5,400

Variable and Voting Interest 64

Variable and Voting Interest Entities - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Financial Condition (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Before Consolidation
Condensed Balance Sheet Statement [Line Items]
Parent Investment in Consolidated Variable Interest Entity	$ 1

Variable and Voting Interest 65

Variable and Voting Interest Entities - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 12, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 192,008	$ 198,313	$ 211,573	$ 203,575	$ 206,016	$ 212,406	$ 208,487	$ 201,792		$ 805,469	$ 828,701	$ 685,841
Total operating expenses											523,084	521,798	947,045
Operating income		65,688	70,555	78,313	67,829	77,910	81,016	80,825	67,152		282,385	306,903	(261,204)
Non-operating Income Loss Before Net Gains of Launch Equity												(15,360)	42,839
Net gains of Launch Equity												(3,964)	10,623
Total non-operating income (loss)											(23,508)	(19,324)	53,462
Income (loss) before income taxes											258,877	287,579	(207,742)
Provision for income taxes											46,771	48,829	26,390
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests	$ (434,342)									$ 200,210	212,106	238,750	(234,132)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings		29,177	31,674	35,522	33,932	40,146	43,243	45,547	44,149		130,305	173,085	(269,562)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity											0	(3,964)	10,623
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.		$ 20,077	$ 18,474	$ 23,736	$ 19,514	$ 21,294	$ 20,439	$ 19,260	$ 8,636		$ 81,801	69,629	24,807
Eliminations
Condensed Income Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues												(454)	(2,492)
Total operating expenses												(454)	(2,492)
Operating income												0	0
Non-operating Income Loss Before Net Gains of Launch Equity												0	0
Net gains of Launch Equity												0	0
Total non-operating income (loss)												0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes												0	0
Provision for income taxes												0	0
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests												0	0
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings												0	0
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity												0	0
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.												0	0
Before Consolidation
Condensed Income Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues												829,155	688,333
Total operating expenses												522,252	949,537
Operating income												306,903	(261,204)
Non-operating Income Loss Before Net Gains of Launch Equity												(15,360)	42,839
Net gains of Launch Equity												0	0
Total non-operating income (loss)												(15,360)	42,839
Income (loss) before income taxes												291,543	(218,365)
Provision for income taxes												48,829	26,390
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests												242,714	(244,755)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings												173,085	(269,562)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity												0	0
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.												69,629	24,807
Launch Equity
Condensed Income Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues												0	0
Total operating expenses												0	0
Operating income												0	0
Non-operating Income Loss Before Net Gains of Launch Equity												0	0
Net gains of Launch Equity												(3,964)	10,623
Total non-operating income (loss)												(3,964)	10,623
Income (loss) before income taxes												(3,964)	10,623
Provision for income taxes												0	0
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests												(3,964)	$ 10,623
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings												0
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Launch Equity												(3,964)	$ 10,623
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.												$ 0	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)votes$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares		73,408,928	72,927,543	71,484,007
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ / shares		$ 3.35	$ 3.83	$ 0.86
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized | shares		500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares		39,432,605	34,238,131	19,807,436
Common stock, par value per share | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock votes per share | votes		1
Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized | shares		200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares		18,327,222	21,463,033	25,271,889
Common stock, par value per share | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock votes per share | votes	[1]	5
Class C Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized | shares		400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares		15,649,101	17,226,379	25,206,554
Common stock, par value per share | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock votes per share | votes	[1]	1
Partnership Interest [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Distribution Amount | $		$ 182,175	$ 266,838	$ 290,511
Partnership distributions | $		368,886	427,191	331,961
Artisan Partners Asset Management [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions to APAM | $		$ 186,711	$ 160,353	$ 41,450
Quarterly cash dividend
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ / shares		$ 2.40	$ 2.20	$ 0.86
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ / shares		0	3.81	0
Special annual dividend
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ / shares		$ 0.95	$ 1.63	$ 0
[1]	2,781,984 shares of Class A common stock subject to the agreement and all 18,327,222 outstanding shares of Class B common stock.

Stockholders' Equity Share Acti

Stockholders' Equity Share Activity by Class (Details) - shares		Mar. 09, 2015	Jul. 25, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014	Jan. 22, 2014	Nov. 06, 2013	Jul. 17, 2013	Apr. 22, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 18, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number											122,990		20,612		122,990
Common stock, shares outstanding											73,408,928		72,927,543	71,484,007	73,408,928
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		0	(4,728)	0	0		(1,438,808)	0	(1,575,157)	(548,674)	0	67,289	0	82,655
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											(14,276)		(5,880)
General Partnership Units [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		(3,831,550)	(4,728)	(1,381,887)	(8,541,220)		(1,438,808)	(4,152,665)	(1,575,157)	(548,674)	(826,809)	12,559	(1,865,924)	0
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding											39,432,605		34,238,131	19,807,436	39,432,605
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		(3,831,550)		(1,836,898)	(9,284,337)			(5,520,000)							(18,635,887)
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											(14,276)		(5,880)
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding											18,327,222		21,463,033	25,271,889	18,327,222
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		2,415,253			3,705,453			0			0		0		6,120,706
Class C Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding											15,649,101		17,226,379	25,206,554	15,649,101
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		1,416,297			4,835,767			4,152,665			0		0		10,404,729
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		0				743,117		1,367,335							2,110,452
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding											0		0	1,198,128	0
Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											67,289
Common Stock | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											12,559		0
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											365,253		93,143
Common Stock | Class C Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											(310,523)		(93,143)
Common Stock | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)						0					0
Common Stock | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		(3,831,550)											(9,284,337)
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		2,415,253											3,705,453
Common Stock | Class C Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		1,416,297											4,835,767
Common Stock | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)		0				743,117
Common Stock | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											(826,809)		(1,865,924)
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											355,305		10,260
Common Stock | Class C Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											471,504		1,855,664
Common Stock | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)						0					0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number											2,861,984		2,700,634	1,575,157	2,861,984	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											(562,950)		(1,444,688)
Restricted Stock [Member] | General Partnership Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number											2,781,984				2,781,984
Restricted Stock [Member] | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues											(562,950)		(1,444,688)
Restricted Stock [Member] | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											0		0
Restricted Stock [Member] | Class C Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)											0		0
Restricted Stock [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)						0					0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	[1]												(4,728)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues													(4,728)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)													0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Class C Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)													0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)						0
Common Stock | Class A Common Stock
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues													(1,836,898)
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)													0
Common Stock | Class C Common Stock
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)													1,381,887
Common Stock | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares repurchased and retired during the period (shares)						455,011
[1]	There were 122,990 and 20,612 restricted stock units outstanding at December 31 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Compensation and Benefits - Com

Compensation and Benefits - Components of expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Salaries, incentive compensation and benefits	$ 335,700	$ 327,154	$ 301,621
Total salaries, incentive compensation and benefits	372,167	350,302	309,163
Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards	42,071	64,664	404,160
Pre-offering related compensation - other	0	0	143,035
Total compensation and benefits	414,238	414,966	856,358
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share compensation expense	$ 36,467	$ 23,148	$ 7,542

Compensation and Benefits - Res

Compensation and Benefits - Restricted Share Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 51.58	$ 52.59	$ 52.36	$ 0
Unvested - Number of Awards	2,861,984	2,700,634	1,575,157	0
Granted - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 48.17	$ 52.85	$ 52.36
Granted - Number of Awards	642,950	1,444,688	1,575,157
Forfeited - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 52.71	$ 0	$ 0
Forfeited - Number of Awards	(12,559)	0	0
Vested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 52.69	$ 52.61	$ 0
Vested - Number of Awards	(469,041)	(319,211)	0

Compensation and Benefits - Pre

Compensation and Benefits - Pre-Offering Related Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Change in value of Class B liability awards	$ 0	$ 0	$ 41,942
Class B award modification expense	0	0	287,292
Amortization expense on pre-offering Class B awards	42,071	64,664	74,926
Pre-offering related compensation - share-based awards	42,071	64,664	404,160
Pre-offering related compensation - other	0	0	143,035
Total pre-offering related compensation	42,071	64,664	547,195
Pre-offering related cash incentive compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-offering related compensation - other	0	0	56,788
Pre-offering related bonus make-whole compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-offering related compensation - other	0	0	20,520
Distributions on liability awards | Distributions on Class B liability awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Distributions on Class B liability awards	$ 0	$ 0	$ 65,727

Compensation and Benefits - Cla

Compensation and Benefits - Class B Awards Activity (Details) - Class B Liability Awards - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30
Unvested - Number of Awards	2,348,334	4,045,016	7,249,842	9,911,720
Granted - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Granted - Number of Awards	0	0	0
Forfeited - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ (30)	$ 0	$ (30)
Forfeited - Number of Awards	(54,730)	0	(82,655)
Vested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ (30)	$ (30)	$ (30)
Vested - Number of Awards	(1,641,952)	(3,204,826)	(2,579,223)

Compensation and Benefits - Add

Compensation and Benefits - Additional information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	14,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	10,336,935
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 22,000	$ 16,400
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 669	$ 302	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Other Share Increase (Decrease)	(14,276)	5,880
Stock Based Awards Redemption Amount	$ 5,602	$ 14,284
StockBasedAwardPayment	8,700	8,800	8,700
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost	0	0	287,292
Other Labor-related Expenses	$ 0	0	143,035
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 120,800
Share-based compensation	$ 36,467	23,148	7,542
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	3 years 6 months 1 day
Class B Liability Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 43,500
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 5 months 28 days
Redemption period for terminated employees	5 years
Cash incentive compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Other Labor-related Expenses	$ 0	0	56,788
Pre-offering related bonus make-whole compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Other Labor-related Expenses	0	0	20,520
Distributions on liability awards | Class B Liability Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Distributions on Class B liability awards	$ 0	$ 0	$ 65,727

Income Taxes and Related Paym73

Income Taxes and Related Payments - Components of provision for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Federal	$ 26,090	$ 27,094	$ 13,816
State and local	3,560	3,982	2,719
Foreign	600	184	471
Total	30,250	31,260	17,006
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Federal	22,916	21,402	9,089
State and local	(6,395)	(3,833)	295
Total	16,521	17,569	9,384
Income tax expense	$ 46,771	$ 48,829	$ 26,390

Income Taxes and Related Paym74

Income Taxes and Related Payments - Reconciliation of effective tax rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Non-deductible share-based compensation	2.90%	3.10%	2.60%
Rate benefit from the flow through entity	(17.70%)	(20.80%)	(27.40%)
Change in deferred state tax rate	(3.00%)	(1.70%)	(0.00%)
Other	0.90%	1.40%	1.40%
Effective Tax Rate	18.10%	17.00%	11.60%

Income Taxes and Related Paym75

Income Taxes and Related Payments - Components of deferred tax assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 09, 2015	Mar. 12, 2014	Nov. 06, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Amounts payable under tax receivable agreements				$ 489,154	$ 589,101		$ 589,101		$ 489,154		$ 160,663	$ 589,101
Initial establishment of amounts payable under tax receivable agreements	$ 89,400	$ 244,300	$ 105,300	84,400	18,400		107,740		328,949			439,000
Non Cash Transaction Initial Establishment of Deferred Tax Assets	$ 105,100	$ 287,400	$ 123,900	99,300	21,600		126,753		386,667			516,400
Amortization of TRA DTA							(33,128)		(23,472)
Payments Of Amounts Owed Under Tax Receivable Agreement							(20,040)	[1]	(4,645)	[1]	0
TRA change in estimate							12,247		4,187		0
DTA change in estimate							14,677		4,899
Deferred tax assets:
Step-up of tax basis				551,952	660,254	[2]	660,254	[2]	551,952		$ 183,858	660,254	[2]
Other				10,444	18,283	[3]	18,283	[3]	10,444			18,283	[3]
Total deferred tax assets				562,396	678,537		678,537		562,396			678,537
Less: valuation allowance				0	0	[4]	0	[4]	0			0	[4]
Net deferred tax assets				$ 562,396	$ 678,537		$ 678,537		$ 562,396			$ 678,537
[1]	Interest of $179 thousand and $36 thousand was paid on these TRA payments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
[2]	Represents the unamortized step-up of tax basis from the merger described above, the purchase of common and preferred units by APAM, and the exchange of common and preferred units for Class A common shares of APAM.
[3]	Represents the net deferred tax assets associated with the merger described above and other miscellaneous deferred tax assets.
[4]	Artisan assessed whether the deferred tax assets would be realizable and determined based on its history of taxable income that the benefits would more likely than not be realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance is required.

Income Taxes and Related Paym76

Income Taxes and Related Payments - Additional information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 12, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Paid		$ 179	$ 36
Approximate percentage of earnings not subject to income taxes	78.00%	50.00%	60.00%

Accumulated Other Comprehensi77

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on investments	$ 77	$ 326
Foreign currency translation	(452)	(120)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (375)	$ 206

Earnings (loss) Per Share - Com

Earnings (loss) Per Share - Computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsidiary preferred stock dividends [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to APAM	$ 20,077	$ 18,474	$ 23,736	$ 19,514	$ 21,294	$ 20,439	$ 19,260	$ 8,636	$ 81,801	$ 69,629	$ 24,807
Less: Convertible preferred stock and subsidiary equity deemed dividends									0	22,694	32,215
Less allocation to participating securities									16,033	29,616	1,300
Net income (loss) allocated to common shareholders									$ 65,768	$ (10,300)	$ (28,165)
Weighted average shares outstanding									35,448,550	27,514,394	13,780,378
Earnings (loss) per share									$ 1.86	$ (0.37)	$ (2.04)
Subsidiary Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsidiary preferred stock dividends [Line Items]
Less: Convertible preferred stock and subsidiary equity deemed dividends									$ 0	$ 27,619	$ 19,457

Earnings (loss) Per Share - Ant

Earnings (loss) Per Share - Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of net income per share (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	38,013,575	44,680,405	57,067,264
Holdings limited partnership units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	34,960,945	42,194,109	53,867,514
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	355,228	2,305,018
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,052,630	2,131,068	894,732

Benefit Plans (Details)

Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	$ 5.5	$ 4.9	$ 4.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	0.2	1.2	$ 1.5
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent	$ 1.1	$ 2

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total cost	$ 39,082	$ 33,634
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(21,087)	(17,040)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	17,995	16,594
Depreciation expense	4,500	3,200
Computers and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total cost	7,551	5,910
Computer software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total cost	4,966	4,021
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total cost	6,892	6,654
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total cost	$ 19,673	$ 17,049

Lease Commitments (Details)

Lease Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$ 9,700	$ 9,400	$ 8,400
2,016	10,083
2,017	9,757
2,018	9,929
2,019	8,329
2,020	7,430
Thereafter	29,781
Total	$ 75,309

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties	$ 600	$ 5,800
Artisan Funds
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment management fees	528,098	561,202	$ 455,047
Fee waiver / expense reimbursement	$ 444	63	291
Artisan Funds | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fee percentage of average daily net assets	0.63%
Annualized operating expenses maximum percentage of average daily net assets	1.25%
Artisan Funds | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fee percentage of average daily net assets	1.25%
Annualized operating expenses maximum percentage of average daily net assets	1.50%
Artisan Global Funds
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from related parties	$ 1,300
Investment management fees	15,218	14,172	9,291
Fee waiver / expense reimbursement	$ 441	493	752
Artisan Global Funds | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fee percentage of average daily net assets	0.75%
Management fee threshold for reimbursement, percentage average daily net assets	0.10%
Artisan Global Funds | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fee percentage of average daily net assets	1.80%
Management fee threshold for reimbursement, percentage average daily net assets	0.20%
Launch Equity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fee waiver / expense reimbursement		$ 163	$ 172
Management fee as a percentage of closing capital account	1.00%
Percentage of fee expected to be waived in current period	100.00%
Percentage profit allocation	20.00%

Concentration of Credit Risk 84

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Relationships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 192,008	$ 198,313	$ 211,573	$ 203,575	$ 206,016	$ 212,406	$ 208,487	$ 201,792	$ 805,469	$ 828,701	$ 685,841
Total Revenue [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue									10.00%	9.00%	9.00%
US Mid-Cap Growth [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 88,175	$ 90,683	$ 76,327
US Mid-Cap Growth [Member] | Total Revenue [Member] | Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue									11.00%	10.90%	11.10%
US Mid-Cap Value [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 75,445	$ 106,463	$ 93,774
US Mid-Cap Value [Member] | Total Revenue [Member] | Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue									9.40%	12.90%	13.70%
Non-US Growth [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 176,695	$ 156,537	$ 116,173
Non-US Growth [Member] | Total Revenue [Member] | Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue									21.90%	18.90%	16.90%
Non-US Value [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 105,600	$ 108,837	$ 88,342
Non-US Value [Member] | Total Revenue [Member] | Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of total revenue									13.10%	13.10%	12.90%

Selected Quarterly Financial 85

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 192,008	$ 198,313	$ 211,573	$ 203,575	$ 206,016	$ 212,406	$ 208,487	$ 201,792	$ 805,469	$ 828,701	$ 685,841
Operating income	65,688	70,555	78,313	67,829	77,910	81,016	80,825	67,152	282,385	306,903	(261,204)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Artisan Partners Holdings	29,177	31,674	35,522	33,932	40,146	43,243	45,547	44,149	130,305	173,085	(269,562)
Net income attributable to Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.	$ 20,077	$ 18,474	$ 23,736	$ 19,514	$ 21,294	$ 20,439	$ 19,260	$ 8,636	$ 81,801	$ 69,629	$ 24,807
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.47	$ 0.44	$ 0.50	$ 0.43	$ 0.58	$ 0.57	$ 0.42	$ (2.29)

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jan. 26, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted	1,102,660
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Declared	$ 41.8
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 33.6
Class A Common Stock | Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share	$ 1
Quarterly cash dividend | Class A Common Stock | Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share	0.60
Special annual dividend | Class A Common Stock | Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.40